What is the difference between a service (for example the search service - something like SharepointSearch 15) and a Service Application (for example the Search Service Application in Central Administration)?
Thank you!
This question is NOT a duplicate as it asks about the difference between a service and a SERVICE application, NOT between a service and a WEB Application.
Interesting question, you can find the better explanation in technet
"*In SharePoint 2013, individual services can be configured independently and third-party companies can add services. The services infrastructure gives you control over which services are deployed and how services are shared.
Services that are deployed are named service applications. A service application provides a resource that can be shared across sites throughout a farm, and can be accessed by users through a hosting web application. Service applications are associated to web applications by service application connections. Some services can be shared across farms.* "
