How Web Services Work

 

On the client…

Using Omnis Studio as a Web Services client provides the following features:

  • Using an Omnis wizard, an object class can be created in your library which encapsulates the methods for a remote Web Service.

  • The Web Service object contains a reference to the WSDL file which can be a local or remote file, such as http://api.google.com/GoogleSearch.wsdl

  • When you create the Web Services object you have the option to create an Omnis form allowing you to test the web service very easily.

  • Methods contained in an Omnis Studio Web Service Object can be viewed in the Interface Manager and called in your own applications just like normal object methods.

ows_intman1 The Omnis Web Services wizard creates an object class that encapsulates all the methods in the Web Service, providing easy and dynamic access to functionality

  • The Web Service Browser in Omnis lets you search for Web Services on both public and private UDDI registries using a variety of search criteria.
  • Remote Web Services listed in the Web Service Browser can be dragged onto your Omnis library, launching the class wizard and allowing you to create a Web Service client object.

When creating a Client to a particular Web Service you should refer to the relevant product or licensing documentation for details about using the service. To test or use a web service for commercial purposes you may need to register with the service provider to obtain an access ID and/or license key. Services may be chargeable.

On the server…

As well as using Omnis as a client for Web Services, you can implement your own Web Services and publish them using the Omnis Server via the web.

  • Each operation in an Omnis Studio Web Service corresponds to a method in a remote task.
  • Parameters and return values for the remote task methods can include aggregate types (lists and rows).
  • The WSDL for a server Web Service can be generated automatically.
  • You can view any Web Services in open libraries in the Studio Browser and you can test the service operations using an embedded form.
  • Dragging an Omnis Web Service onto an open library creates a Web Service client object; each method in the object has the same parameter types and return value as the remote task method in the Web Service.

 

ows_wss1

The Studio IDE lets you expose your Omnis code as a Web Service and allows anyone to easily access business functionality via the Omnis Server

Omnis Web Service Browser

  • Omnis Web Services are deployed on the Omnis Server in conjunction with a standard web server; communication is enabled via a special Web Server plug-in (Apache or CGI).
  • Alternatively, Omnis has its own built-in HTTP server, which allows requests to be sent directly to Omnis (this method does not support secure connections).
  • Functions are provided for converting to and from UTC (Coordinated Local Time) and the local time zone.