Paul Prescod, Constant Revolution
Track: Python
Date: Thursday, July 25
Time: 11:30am - 12:15pm
Location: Marina IV
WRDL.py is a python module that generates APIs for web services described with the Web Resource Description Language (WRDL).
Where the dominant web service description language, WSDL, uses a component metaphor, WRDL builds on the standard Web data model of resources with links between them. Where WSDL is based primarily on the SOAP protocol, WRDL is based upon the HTTP protocol.
WRDL makes it extremely easy to make static descriptions of HTTP-based services. The Python WRDL API reads these definitions and generates an easy API for accessing the service. The service’s input parameters (either query parameters, form POST data or headers) are represented as Python keyword parameters. The service’s output is represented as Python dictionaries, lists and classes.
Many programmers are mystified by the web services technologies. They seem unnecessarily complex and often seem as if they were optimized for statically typed programming languages. Many open source programmers have decided that this whole area is something they should ignore. It is true that the dominant web services technologies are not technically strong. Nevertheless the problem domain of integrating large complex systems is both interesting and important. WRDL.py builds on technologies familiar to programmers to bring the dream of web services within reach.
