How to use WSDL

Question

I'm working on a WSDL application. But actually I didn't understand what makes the "?wsdl" parameter and what will I do with the returned XML. For example:

https://adwords.google.com/api/adwords/cm/v201309/CampaignService?wsdl

This URL returns and XML string but what will I do with this?

I can convert schema files to java classes using jaxb (xjc) but I didn't understand correctly how to use this WSDL?

Thanks for your answers.

Answer 1

WSDL is a XML file which contains description of a SOAP web service. WSDL file contains details regarding XML request structure, XML response structure, Web service endpoint details, Web service URL etc.WSDL file is the single most important file of a SOAP web service. The owner of a web service provides WSDL file to the client and by using the WSDL file a client interacts with the service. By using the WSDL file a client can generate client side stubs and java classes to contact with the server. Java since its release 7 supports APIs to generate client side code from a WSDL file. WSDL is created at the time of creating the web service.

When you have that URL containing the WSDL,simply use a tool like SOAPUI and generate a SOAP message and invoke web service. Web service can contain one more input elements so in that case you need to provide input element in the SOAP message.

To invoke a web service you just need a WSDL URL , you already have that. Just use a tool like SOAPUI.

Answer 2

WSDL is the file describing your webservices.

Meta Information about your methods, etc. Any Web Client should understand and use WSDL files to generates all methods needed to communicate with a Web Server.

Answer 3

WSDL(Web Services Description Language) is just a contract in the form of xml defining the web services. It contains the details of input and output params of webservices. It is used between client and server to define the interface of communication. It is analogous to a method signature in a programming language. But as it is used between hetrogenous systems so xml is used to describe it.