WSDL anyone?

[ncowles2]

I'm trying to use the SOAP interface, but have been able to locate a WSDL. Having a WSDL is a huge timesaver because java tools can read it in and generate a client automagically. Does anyone know if Scalix has a proper WSDL?

[ncowles2]

Besides being a huge timesaver for developers, a WSDL creates a formal contract that describes a given service. I don't feel comfortable building a connector into my Enterprise based some documentation that says "send some xml that looks like this, and you'll get some xml like that", as if this were the 90s, especially when the example xml is invalid and contains errors. "Modern" tools like XFIRE make all this SOAP stuff SOO easy.

[philjohn]

WSDL is used for SOAP interfaces (as they are very complicated, encapsulating such things as types and message formats).

Scalix uses the much simpler REST paradigm, which is simply normal GET, POST and PUT commands with multipart/form-data.

The best way to play with the API is the guide, and also loading up the REST interface in your web browser and playing with the various options. For example, put ?output=xml at the end of the Calendar folder URL and you will get a nice XML file that describes the contents, including timestamps and URI's for various resources.

It's important to understand that REST and SOAP aren't necessarily better than one another. It's true that SOAP is quite nice, however, have you ever tried consuming SOAP services built in one language with a client in another language? It's not the simplest thing in the world as often have to downgrade both to using the lowest common denominator.

If you would prefer integrating another way, go the way I am my Funambol connector - connect to the IMAP server and read and write mime-messages using something like JavaMail.

[ncowles2]

philjohn:

The Scalix managment interface IS SOAP! It's not REST. Scalix provides a REST interface for "regular" functions like retrieving/sending mail. But administration is done through SOAP. I'm sorry you think REST is simpler than SOAP also. That has not been my experience. If you're trying to do SOAP by hand, or the same way you do REST, I can see why you might think this. SOAP/WSDL by hand I think would be next to impossible, although folklore says in the early days coders actually did it!

have you ever tried consuming SOAP services built in one language with a client in another language?

Yup! I do .NET to java all the time.

f you would prefer integrating another way, go the way I am my Funambol connector

I'm not trying to send/receive mail, I'll just use IMAP connections for that. I need to administer users & groups.

[philjohn]

Sorry, you're right, I misread which API you were trying to connect to.

[propagandhi]

I'm also looking for the same thing. Is there a WSDL for the scalix management services api, and if so where is it?

The API documentation for the soap interface is very lacking. It lacks any clear examples of how to send and retrieve queries and results.

A little bit of a shove in the right direction would be much appreciated.