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IBM developerWorks Serves up Web Services Technology Cupertino, CA, September 19, 2001. . .Today IBM announced that it has made new Web services tools, including the latest version of the Web services Toolkit (WSTK) v. 2.4, available for download on alphaWorks* (http://www.alphaWorks.ibm.com), a major component of developerWorks and the destination for IBM emerging technology.
The IBM WSTK provides a runtime environment, examples to design and execute Web services, and introductory material for developers to easily get started with Web services development. The toolkit consolidates Web services-related technologies from various IBM development and research labs. The functions of the WSTK are based on specifications such as SOAP, WSDL, and UDDI and run on both Linux and Windows operating systems. The first version of the IBM WSTK was posted on alphaWorks in July 2000.
Demand for Web services is growing. According to a recent Evans Research report, more than 60% developers surveyed say they plan to write code for Web services next year. The new toolkit, which includes WSDL4J (Web Services Description Language for Java Toolkit), plus the new Web Services Invocation Framework (WSIF) address developers' need to speed the development of Web services applications.
The IBM WSTK is available for free 90 day trial on alphaWorks. The following new functions have been added to the most recent release of WSTK v.2.4:
- IBM WebSphere Application Server 4.0 support - The WSTK demos are able to execute on the WAS 4.0 platform, the premier J2EE-compliant web application server.
- HTTPR (reliable HTTP) - A sample implementation and demo of a new protocol HTTPR
- Implementation of the X-KISS (Key Information Service Specification), part of the XKMS (XML Key Management) specification.
- WS4B (Web Services for Browser) plug-in - WS4B provides program and script access to any UDDI node from a standard browser. WS4B includes a plug-in and ActiveX control that serves as the bridge between Web browser Java applets and script to higher-level UDDI constructs.
- WSDL runtime and tooling enhancements - Additional Support for SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) messages, arrays, and attachments
- SOAP encryption/decryption handler on Axis (Apache SOAP 3.0) - an encryption/decryption capability has been added to a SOAP message by extending the SOAP header.
- WSDL4J - Enables runtime environments to support the Web services development using technologies such as SOAP and UDDI (Universal Description Discovery and Integration). WSDL is a key component of the Web services stack; it can be used to describe the methods and requirements for invoking a particular Web service. IBM is providing an easy-to-use interface to work with WSDL to help speed the development of standards-based Web services systems. WSDL4J source code is also being offered on the developerWorks Open Source Zone (www.ibm.com/developerWorks) to make it easier for developers to extend and evolve the WSDL specification. This also makes it simpler for users to write their own extension elements for WSDL. The WSDL4J source code has been submitted to the Java Community Process (JSR110 - http://www.jcp.org/jsr/detail/110.jsp) as basis for the proposed Java API for WSDL standard.
"The WSTK v. 2.4 allows us to expand and extend our entire Web services environment, using our primary platform: WebSphere 4.0. This new version of the WSTK was written to support the latest generation of WebSphere Application Server technologies, " said Michael Shackleford, Integration Developer with Vancouver, B.C. - based Braintech, which develops artificial intelligence processes for the manufacturing industry. "It's good to know that we can rely on IBM to provide us with superior software tools that are not only timely and innovative, but also reliable and robust."
Also available on alphaWorks, the Web Services Invocation Framework (WSIF) allows services other than SOAP to be described in WSDL. WSIF allows services to be invoked in a uniform way, whether the protocol is based on SOAP/HTTP or another invocation method. WSIF can be used effectively to build aggregated services where some of the services are implemented locally. WSIF allows the local services to be invoked more efficiently while retaining the location independence of the Web services model. WSIF is currently being developed as part of the WebSphere* family of products.
"The Web services concept has become immensely popular around the world. These new technologies on alphaWorks and the offerings on the developerWorks Web services Zone will help guide developers who are seeking new and faster ways to build and deploy applications," said Gina Poole, Vice President, Developer Marketing and Web Communities, IBM Developer Relations. "IBM is committed to educating developers on the latest Web services technology and provide them with the resources and products they need to successfully deliver applications based on this technology."
About developerWorks and alphaWorks
developerWorks (www.ibm.com/developerWorks) is IBM's resource for developers offering tools, code and education for open, standards- based development. Committed to providing relevant and accurate technical information by tapping into IBM and other industry leaders, developerWorks content is valuable to developers regardless of their application development tool of choice. developerWorks covers product and technology information related to Java, Linux, XML, Web services, emerging technologies and more. A major component of developerWorks is alphaWorks (www.alphaWorks.ibm.com), the destination for IBM emerging technology. alphaWorks provides early adopters and innovators direct access to IBM's "alpha" technologies through free download and commercial licenses. developerWorks is committed to responding to the needs of developers.
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* Indicates a trademark of the IBM Corporation
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