Introduction to WSDL
WSDL is an XML-based language used for describing Web Services and how to access them.
Prerequisites
Before continuing, you should have a basic understanding of the following:
- XML
- XML Namespaces
- XML Schema
If you wish to learn these topics first, please visit our XML Series Tutorials.
What is WSDL?
- WSDL stands for Web Services Description Language
- WSDL is written in XML
- WSDL is an XML document
- WSDL is used to describe Web Services
- WSDL can also be used to locate Web Services
- WSDL is not yet a W3C standard
WSDL Describes Web Services
WSDL stands for Web Services Description Language.
WSDL is an XML document that describes a Web service. It specifies the location of the service and the operations (or methods) the service offers.
WSDL Development History at W3C
In March 2001, WSDL 1.1 was submitted by IBM and Microsoft as a W3C Note to the W3C XML Activity for XML protocols, for the purpose of describing Web Services.
(A W3C Note is for discussion only. The publication of a W3C Note does not represent its endorsement by W3C, the W3C Team, or any W3C members.)
In July 2002, W3C published the first WSDL 1.2 working draft.
Please read more about the status and timeline of the specification in our W3C Tutorials.