w3schools
  
HOME HTML CSS XML JAVASCRIPT ASP PHP SQL MORE...   References Examples Forum About

WSDL Documents

« Previous Next Chapter »

A WSDL document is just a simple XML document.

It contains set of definitions to describe a web service.


The WSDL Document Structure

A WSDL document describes a web service using these major elements:

Element Defines
<types> The data types used by the web service
<message> The messages used by the web service
<portType> The operations performed by the web service
<binding> The communication protocols used by the web service

The main structure of a WSDL document looks like this:

<definitions>

<types>
  definition of types........
</types>

<message>
  definition of a message....
</message>

<portType>
  definition of a port.......
</portType>

<binding>
  definition of a binding....
</binding>

</definitions>

A WSDL document can also contain other elements, like extension elements, and a service element that makes it possible to group together the definitions of several web services in one single WSDL document.


WSDL Ports

The <portType> element is the most important WSDL element.

It describes a web service, the operations that can be performed, and the messages that are involved.

The <portType> element can be compared to a function library (or a module, or a class) in a traditional programming language.


WSDL Messages

The <message> element defines the data elements of an operation.

Each message can consist of one or more parts. The parts can be compared to the parameters of a function call in a traditional programming language.


WSDL Types

The <types> element defines the data types that are used by the web service.

For maximum platform neutrality, WSDL uses XML Schema syntax to define data types.


WSDL Bindings

The <binding> element defines the message format and protocol details for each port.


WSDL Example

This is a simplified fraction of a WSDL document:

<message name="getTermRequest">
  <part name="term" type="xs:string"/>
</message>

<message name="getTermResponse">
  <part name="value" type="xs:string"/>
</message>

<portType name="glossaryTerms">
  <operation name="getTerm">
    <input message="getTermRequest"/>
    <output message="getTermResponse"/>
  </operation>
</portType>

In this example the <portType> element defines "glossaryTerms" as the name of a port, and "getTerm" as the name of an operation.

The "getTerm" operation has an input message called "getTermRequest" and an output message called "getTermResponse".

The <message> elements define the parts of each message and the associated data types.

Compared to traditional programming, glossaryTerms is a function library, "getTerm" is a function with "getTermRequest" as the input parameter, and getTermResponse as the return parameter.


« Previous Next Chapter »


Make your web applications look like a million bucks

FusionCharts   

Most web applications today use boring methods to present data to their viewers using grids or simple HTML tables. FusionCharts induces "life" into the web applications by converting monotonous data into lively charts, gauges & maps.

FusionCharts works with all technologies like ASP, ASP.NET, PHP, ColdFusion, Ruby on Rails, JSP, HTML pages etc. and connects to any database to render animated & interactive charts. It takes less than 15 minutes and no expertise whatsoever to build your first chart and just a glance of it to captivate your audience. This fact is endorsed by our 12,000 customers and 150,000 users which include a majority of the Fortune 500 companies. And yeah, your applications could look like a million bucks by spending just $69.

So go ahead, download your copy of FusionCharts and start "wow-ing" your customers now!



W3Schools Certification

W3Schools' Online Certification Program

The perfect solution for professionals who need to balance work, family, and career building.

More than 4000 certificates already issued!

The HTML Certificate documents your knowledge of HTML, XHTML, and CSS.

The JavaScript Certificate documents your knowledge of JavaScript and HTML DOM.

The XML Certificate documents your knowledge of XML, XML DOM and XSLT.

The ASP Certificate documents your knowledge of ASP, SQL, and ADO.

The PHP Certificate documents your knowledge of PHP and SQL (MySQL).

WEB HOSTING
Best Web Hosting
PHP MySQL Hosting
Top 10 Web Hosting
UK Reseller Hosting
Web Hosting
FREE Web Hosting
Top Web Hosting
Windows Hosting
WEB BUILDING
XML Editor – Free Trial!
FREE Flash Website
FREE Web Templates
FLIGHT TICKETS
Find the cheapest flight
to any destination now!
EDUCATION
US Web Design Schools
HTML Certification
JavaScript Certification
XML Certification
PHP Certification
ASP Certification
STATISTICS
Browser Statistics
Browser OS
Browser Display