Web services

Domino supports Web services as defined in the W3C documents Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) 1.1 (http://www.w3.org/TR/2000/NOTE-SOAP-20000508) and Web Services Description Language (WSDL) 1.1 (http://www.w3.org/TR/2001/NOTE-wsdl-20010315). See also Web Services Architecture (http://www.w3.org/TR/ws-arch) and Web Services Activity (http://www.w3.org/2002/ws/).

Note: Web services are new with Release 7.

Domino limits Web services as follows:

  • Only provider entities are supported.
  • Binding must be SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) using HTTP POST protocols.

Development in Domino Designer is through a Web Services Provider design element coded in Java or LotusScript. The code defines and implements the service. The web services provider also maintains the definition as a WSDL (Web Services Description Language) document.

  • The compiled Web service, like an agent, is a stand-alone program in a Domino database. New with Release 8, the web service can be incorporated in a web service enabled LotusScript or Java script library. To be used, the Web service, or web service enabled script library, must be on -- or be replicated to -- a server that is enabled for Web access. Web service enabled script libraries can be accessed the same way other script libraries are. Stand-alone Web services can be accessed with the following Domino URLs:
    • OpenWebService -- using HTTP POST protocols, invokes the Web service. If HTTP GET protocols are used, OpenWebService returns some information about the service.
    • WSDL -- queries the Web service for its WSDL document.
  • A Web service can be tested through an HTTP session in Notes or Designer preview.
  • A Web service has the same security capabilities as an agent.
  • To enable concurrent Web services on a server, you must enable concurrent Web Agents on that server. Open the Server document you want to edit. Click the Internet Protocols - Domino Web Engine tab. Enable Run Web Agents concurrently.

  • You can import an existing WSDL document to generate a skeleton Web service. The skeleton code corresponds to the Web service definition. You then add implementation code.
  • Alternatively you can start a Web service from scratch, writing your own Java or LotusScript code to create the Web service definition.
  • In Domino Designer, you can show or export the WSDL document that defines the Web service. For Java, you can export the source, create a new class, edit the project files, and compile the project files (as for a Java agent).

The following sections describe: