W3C WSDL Activity

WSDL is an XML-based language used for describing Web Services and how to access them.

WSDL

WSDL (Web Services Description Language) is an XML format for describing Web Services.

To learn more about WSDL, please read our WSDL Tutorial.

WSDL 1.1

As an XML format for describing Web Services, WSDL 1.1 was proposed to W3C (by Ariba, IBM, and Microsoft) in a document dated March 2001.

This document also described how to use WSDL in conjunction with SOAP 1.1, HTTP GET/POST, and MIME.

W3C WSDL 1.1 is merely a discussion document (NOTE). Its publication does not indicate any level of endorsement by W3C.

WSDL 1.2

The first working draft was released on December 17, 2001.

The latest working draft was released on June 11, 2003.

WSDL 2.0

The W3C's XML Protocol Working Group is currently working on WSDL 2.0.

Web Architecture

The core of the web architecture is a web server, typically hosted on a standalone server. The database server serves as the information management system database server. All client data requests are submitted by the web server to the database server, which then returns the data to the requesting client.

The web server can be set up as a gateway, connecting the internal network of the information management system to the enterprise Intranet. This arrangement prevents the internal network from being directly exposed to the outside while allowing internal access to the web site.

W3C WSDL Specifications and Timeline

W3C Reference Manual:

W3C Web Services Homepage