RE: question-WSDL

The original question related to the server, not the client.
 
Yes, the server COULD read the WSDL, but usually it doesn't - the WSDL is often written to describe the server after the server has been created, or the WSDL is created at the same time as the service.
 
More often, the client reads the WSDL (as you suggest in the context of client proxies) to know what the interface is like.
 
It is easily argued that the WSDL exists to describe the server for the benefit of the client. However, a server could also use the WSDL - no argument.
 
Perhaps the most convincing argument for a server reading the WSDL is when a client is implementing a call-back web service.
 
Tony Rogers

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: www-ws-desc-request@w3.org on behalf of Arthur Ryman 
	Sent: Sun 07-Aug-05 4:59 
	To: Jonathan Marsh 
	Cc: tlais; www-ws-desc@w3.org; www-ws-desc-request@w3.org 
	Subject: RE: question-WSDL
	
	

	Jonathan, 
	
	FYI, there are test tools that interpret WSDL dynamically. Also, some scripting technologies read WSDL are runtime to create a client proxy. 
	
	Arthur Ryman,
	Rational Desktop Tools Development
	
	phone: +1-905-413-3077, TL 969-3077
	assistant: +1-905-413-2411, TL 969-2411
	fax: +1-905-413-4920, TL 969-4920
	mobile: +1-416-939-5063, text: 4169395063@fido.ca
	intranet: http://labweb.torolab.ibm.com/DRY6/ 
	
	
	
"Jonathan Marsh" <jmarsh@microsoft.com> 
Sent by: www-ws-desc-request@w3.org 

08/05/2005 05:58 PM 

To
"tlais" <mazentlais@yahoo.fr>, <www-ws-desc@w3.org> 
cc
Subject
RE: question-WSDL	

		




	
	The WSDL document describes the travel reservation service, from its
	point of view (that is, an 'in-out' MEP is 'in' to the service, followed
	by 'out' from the service).
	
	A service developer may obtain or create a WSDL and then use it to
	generate a stub of the service, but it is also common that the service
	is developed first, and then WSDL generated describing that service.
	There is no tight run-time linkage between WSDL and the service.  The
	WSDL could even be provided by a third party, without the knowledge of
	the service.
	
	Probably the most important use of WSDL though will be for generating
	code for clients that wish to connect to the service.
	
	Hope this helps.
	- Jonathan
	
	> -----Original Message-----
	> From: www-ws-desc-request@w3.org [mailto:www-ws-desc-request@w3.org]
	> On Behalf Of tlais
	> Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 1:58 AM
	> To: www-ws-desc@w3.org
	> Subject: question-WSDL
	> 
	> 
	> 
	> Hello all,
	> 
	> I'm a new member in the mailing list. I've read many documents on the
	> XML
	> and WSDL spec, but I didn't find a response to my question.
	> Supposing a server provides a "TRAVEL RESERVATION" web service. Does
	> the
	> server use the WSDL document of the "TRAVEL RESERVATION" service to
	> send
	> and receive SOAP messages? I mean does the server interpret the WSDL
	> document of the service provided by the server itself?
	> 
	> 
	> Regards