Introduction to WSDL

The basic knowledge you should have

Before continuing, you need to have a basic understanding of the following knowledge:

• XML

• XML Namespace

• XML Schema

If you want to learn these projects first, please visit our XML series of tutorials.

What is WSDL?

• WSDL refers to the network service description language

• WSDL is written in XML

• WSDL is an XML document

• WSDL is used to describe network services

• WSDL can also be used to locate network services

• WSDL is not a W3C standard yet.

WSDL can describe network services (Web Services)

WSDL refers to the Network Services description language.

WSDL is a document written in XML. This kind of document can describe a Web service. It can specify the location of the service and the operations (or methods) provided by the service.

The Development History of WSDL in W3C

In March 2001, WSDL 1.1 was submitted by IBM and Microsoft as a W3C record (W3C note) to the W3C XML activity on the XML protocol to describe network services.

(W3C records are for discussion only. The publication of a W3C record does not mean that it has been approved by the W3C or the W3C team or any W3C member. )

In July 2002, the W3C released the first working draft of WSDL 1.2.

Please read more about the status and timeline of the specification in our W3C tutorial.