WSDL Parsing and Verification Process
The EMBRACE Service Registry has an integrated WSDL Parsing and Verification System, this is tool that helps maintain high quality SOAP web services within the EMBRACE Service Registry. The key objectives of the system are as follows:
- To inform service owners of non-compliant WSDL documents according to WS-I standards.
- To provide a human readable representation of the WSDL document associated with a SOAP web service, which abstracts key information away from the WSDL representation and displays it on the web page, along with other detailed information derived by the registry.
- To provide details of changes in the WSDL document over time, for example display the date that operation "X" was added to the web service, or the date that a port location changed. This feature does not only informs web service users of additional functionality, but it allows the service owner to verify the changes that have been detected.
- To notify both the service owner and users of significant errors in WSDL documents that will prevent proper interaction between client and web service.
Notifications
Parsing and Verification
The system has multiple layers that feedback different information to both the user and service owner; warning messages will be displayed alongside the WSDL URL amongst the meta-data associated with a web service.
The example above shows that the WSDL parser found an issue with the WSDL document when attempting to parse it. This is also indicated by a red cross that follows the familiar traffic light system used elsewhere in the EMBRACE Service Registry.
Passed : the WSDL document has passed all parser and WS-I compliance testing.
Failed : either the parser or compliance testing found errors with the WSDL document that may affect the interaction between clients and the SOAP web service. Any errors found during either of these stages will be displayed as indicated above.
Warning : a problem has occurred in the verification process, and therefore the EMBRACE Service Registry cannot guarantee that clients can interact with the SOAP web service successfully. Any errors found will be displayed as shown above.
If the WSDL document passes the parsing phase the registry will display a human readable description of the WSDL document on the web service page, giving details of the service, ports, operations, messages, and types associated with web service.
Detecting Changes
The system checks a SOAP web service once per day for any changes that might have occurred. If a change has occurred then the service owner will be notified that the registry has detected this change, via email. The email will request that the service owner approves the change or otherwise. During this process the web service will be flagged as "Amber/Warning", meaning the registry cannot guarantee the stability of the web service. Once the service owner approves the change the service will return to "Green/Passed" unless the service owner rejects the changes, in which case it will go to "Red/Failed".
All changes that are detected are logged and displayed as shown below:
This output shows the date that the initial snapshot was taken for this web service and any subsequent changes that may have been detected. The system can detect changes to services, ports, operations, and message types.
Subscribe to a Service
If you wish to receive email updates about a particular web service, regarding its status and changes that are detected, you can subscribe to the service by logging into the EMBRACE Service Registry, selecting a service and opting to "Subscribe" in the top left hand corner of the service description. This will change your subscription status to "Subscribed", you will then be sent any future updates directly to your inbox.
