WSDL Referential
WSDL (Web Service Description Language) is an XML specification to describe the operations offered by the service (methods, parameters and response values).
The WSDL file gives developers all the necessary information from the creation of messages (possible requests, expected information, data format) to the treatment of responses.
Neteven’s WSDL URL is: https://ws1-4.neteven.com/NWS
In the previous example, we have used an “Echo” method of the Neteven’s webservice with a single character string parameter. The response received (character string) is displayed directly but could equally be treated by the script.
The method name, its associated parameters, and the response format are explicitly described in the WSDL file.
A WSDL document is a XML file using the following elements:
- portType, defining the webservice and specifically the operations that can be done and the type of messages exchanged.
- message, including one or several parts representing the entry parameters.
- types, defining the types of data used by the webservice.
- binding, precising the protocol used and the message format.
Here is a WSDL extract corresponding to the description of the “Echo” request:
Although the different methods that can be used through Neteven’s webservice are described in the following chapters, the WSDL file remains the essential source of additional mandatory information for the developers in charge of interfacing with our services.
In addition, given its precision and comprehensiveness, the WSDL formalises the message structure, ensuring the reliability and stability of the communication feed that will be set up between our information systems.