WSDL port
The
<portType> element is the most important WSDL element. The
WSDL port
<portType> element is the most important WSDL element.
It can describe a web service, operations that can be performed, and related messages.
The <portType> element can be compared to a function library (or a module, or a class) in a traditional programming language.
Operation type
Request-response is the most common operation type, but WSDL defines four types:
| Type | Definition |
|---|---|
| One-way | This operation accepts messages but does not return a response. |
| Request-response | This operation accepts a request and returns a response |
| Solicit-response | This operation can send a request and wait for a response. |
| Notification | This action sends a message but does not wait for a response. |
One-Way operation
An example of a one-way operation:
<part name="term" type="xs:string"/>
<part name="value" type="xs:string"/>
</message>
<portType name="glossaryTerms">
<operation name="setTerm">
<input name="newTerm" message="newTermValues"/>
</operation>
</portType >
In this example, the port "glossaryTerms" defines a one-way operation named "setTerm".
This "setTerm" operation accepts input for new term glossary item messages using a message named "newTermValues" with the input parameters "term" and "value". However, no output is defined for this operation.
Request-Response operation
An example of a request-response operation:
<part name="term" type="xs:string"/>
</message>
<message name="getTermResponse">
<part name="value" type="xs:string"/>
</message>
<portType name="glossaryTerms">
<operation name="getTerm">
<input message="getTermRequest"/>
<output message="getTermResponse"/>
</operation>
</portType>
In this example, the port "glossaryTerms" defines a request-response operation named "getTerm".
The "getTerm" operation will request an input message named "getTermRequest" with a parameter named "term" and will return an output message named "getTermResponse" with this message Takes a parameter named "value".
