Sending to and receiving from internet web services on the IBM i system involves using integrated tools and technologies to interact with web services. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
Sending Requests to Web Services
- Integrated Web Services Client: IBM i provides an integrated web services client that allows programs written in languages like RPG, COBOL, C++, Java, PHP, and .NET to send requests to web services. This client can handle both SOAP and RESTful web services.
- Creating Requests: You can create requests using standard protocols like SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) or REST (Representational State Transfer). SOAP uses XML for message formatting, while REST typically uses JSON or XML.
- Transport APIs: For RPG programming, IBM provides transport APIs that allow you to control what is sent to a server and what is received from the server. These APIs are defined in include files such as '/QIBM/ProdData/OS/WebServices/V1/client/include/Axis.rpgleinc'.
Receiving Responses from Web Services
- Processing Responses: Once a request is sent, the web service processes it and sends back a response. The integrated web services client on IBM i can handle these responses, parsing the XML or JSON data and making it available to your application.
- Error Handling: It’s important to implement error handling to manage any issues that arise during communication with the web service, such as network errors or invalid responses.
Example Workflow
- Define the Web Service: Use the Web Services Description Language (WSDL) for SOAP services or an API specification for REST services to define the web service interface.
- Generate Service Artifacts: Use the integrated tools to generate the necessary service artifacts, such as client stubs, which facilitate communication with the web service.
- Invoke the Service: Write your RPG or COBOL program to invoke the web service using the generated artifacts and transport APIs.
- Handle the Response: Process the response data within your program, using it as needed for your business logic.
This integration allows IBM i systems to interact seamlessly with modern web services, enabling them to participate in broader service-oriented architectures and leverage external data and functionality.
