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Lab Exercise: Using wsdl2java to Build and Test a Simple SOAP Client

In this lab, you will use the Apache CXF tool wsdl2java to generate a SOAP client from a WSDL file and call a SOAP web service.

This step-by-step exercise will guide you through creating a simple SOAP server, generating the client code, and testing the result.

The workflow is designed to ensure that each step is clear, with an obvious result at the end.

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Learning Objectives

Understand how to use the wsdl2java tool from Apache CXF.

Learn to consume a SOAP web service using the client code generated by wsdl2java.

Observe the interaction between a SOAP client and a SOAP service.

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Prerequisites

Apache CXF is installed and configured (wsdl2java is accessible from the command line).

Java 17 is installed and configured (java and javac commands work).

A working directory is set up for the project (e.g., C:\SOAPLab).

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Set Up Your Project Structure

Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to your working directory:

cd C:\SOAPLab

Create a project structure:

mkdir src

mkdir output

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Step 2: Write a Simple SOAP Web Service

Open your code editor (e.g., Sublime Text) and create a new file HelloWorldService.java in the src folder:

package lab.soap;

import javax.jws.WebMethod;

import javax.jws.WebService;

import javax.xml.ws.Endpoint;

@WebService

public class HelloWorldService {

@WebMethod

public String sayHello(String name) {

return "Hello, " + name + "! Welcome to SOAP services.";

}

public static void main(String[] args) {

Endpoint.publish("http://localhost:8080/soap/hello", new HelloWorldService());

System.out.println("Service running at http://localhost:8080/soap/hello?wsdl");

}

Compile and run the service:

Compile:

bash

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javac -d . src/lab/soap/HelloWorldService.java

Run the service:

bash

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java lab.soap.HelloWorldService

Open a browser and navigate to http://localhost:8080/soap/hello?wsdl. You should see the WSDL file.

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Step 3: Use wsdl2java to Generate Client Code

Open a new terminal or command prompt (keep the SOAP service running).

Run the wsdl2java tool:

bash

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wsdl2java -d output http://localhost:8080/soap/hello?wsdl

Examine the output directory. You should see:

A package structure mirroring the service's namespace.

Java files for the service interface and implementation stubs.

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Step 4: Write the SOAP Client

Create a new file SoapClient.java in the src folder:

java

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package lab.soap.client;

import lab.soap.HelloWorldService;

import lab.soap.HelloWorld;

public class SoapClient {

public static void main(String[] args) {

HelloWorldService service = new HelloWorldService();

HelloWorld hello = service.getHelloWorldPort();

String response = hello.sayHello("Peter");

System.out.println(response);

}

Compile the client:

bash

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javac -d . -cp output src/lab/soap/client/SoapClient.java

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Step 5: Run the Client

Run the client program:

bash

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java -cp .;output lab.soap.client.SoapClient

Observe the output in the terminal:

text

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Hello, Peter! Welcome to SOAP services.

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Results

You have created a SOAP service and tested it by calling it from a SOAP client.

The wsdl2java tool automatically generated the client stubs for you, saving significant development time.

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Lab Deliverables

Submit the following:

All .java files (both the server and client).

Screenshots of:

The WSDL displayed in the browser.

The client terminal output.

Document any errors you encountered and how you resolved them.

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Reflection

Using wsdl2java, you automated the process of generating SOAP client code. This tool demonstrates the power of WSDL in enabling seamless communication between systems, a cornerstone of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA).

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