xmlhack: WSDL becomes W3C Note

The W3C has published Web Services Description Language (WSDL) 1.1 as a note.

WSDL defines:

"an XML grammar for describing network services as collections of communication endpoints capable of exchanging messages. WSDL service definitions provide documentation for distributed systems and serve as a recipe for automating the details involved in applications communication."

While noting potential interaction with existing W3C activity, notably XML Schema, XML Protocol, XForms, and Semantic Web activity, the W3C staff comment reminds readers that:

"To determine the next steps in the Web Services area, W3C will be holding a Workshop on Web Services. The submitters of WSDL are encouraged to submit a position paper to this Workshop."

The staff comment also points to a potential flaw:

"When evaluating the integration of the WSDL submission into the Web Architecture, the proposed facility for generating URIs that are not globally unique for all time may require further study. Specifically, it appears risky to assume that two people could choose to simultaneously use the same URI for two completely different Schemas under the assumption that the scope of the use of the URIs will not intersect. In a completely decentralized system such as the Web, collision at some point in the future can never be fully excluded. "

WSDL was originally created by IBM, Microsoft, and Ariba, but was also submitted by Allaire, BEA, Bowstreet, Commerce One, Compaq Computer Corporation, DataChannel, Epicentric, Fujitsu Limited, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, IONA Technologies, Jamcracker, Lotus Development Corporation, Oracle, Rogue Wave, SAP, TIBCO, VeriSign, Vitria, webMethods, XML Global Technologies, and XMLSolutions as co-sponsors.