Re: MSSoap client to Apache Service Complex types

Thanks for the info.
I've done a little more experimenting and reading and I think it's clear 
to me how to handle complex data types between ASP (MS-SOAP) clients and Apache 
SOAP services though I haven't tried it yet.

I'm just wondering if using JSP and Apache SOAP for the clients would be
the 'better' solution since I already have a jar file with the necessary classes for
the complex data types (supplied by the maintainers of the service).

I originally chose the ASP approach because I've already done some ASP pages
but I also have extensive JAVA experience (just no JSP experience) and Tomcat is available
on the machine where my interface is to be deployed.

I would appreciate any info that might further help me decide.

Thanks

Con


-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Murphy [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 30 April 2003 16:13
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [SOAP] MSSoap client to Apache Service Complex types


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion of implementing SOAP applications today
> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Con Smith
> Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2003 9:43 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [SOAP] MSSoap client to Apache Service Complex types
>

> I'm working on an ASP page as an interface between a legacy
> system and a SOAP service implemented using Apache SOAP.

Shouldn't be a problem...but then again you wouldn't be asking unless
there were problems.


> I'm using SOAPClient in the ASP page (VBScript) and my first
> experiments calling methods using simple data types and
> arrays of simple data types were successful.

Excellent.  I'm biased but I would advise grabbing SOAPscope[1] to
inspect the messages as they pass between your client and the service.
It will allow you to see what works and what doesn't.  And, tweak
messages for resend etc. read all about it at [1].

[1] - http://www.mindreef.com/


> However some of the methods require (and return) complex data types
> (structures) and I haven't been able to find any samples or
> documentation covering MS SOAP client to Apache SOAP service
> communication with complex data types.

IIRC, Apache SOAP only allows RPC/Encoded SOAP.  So complex content is
simply aggregations of simpleTypes.  The question is how should the MS
SOAP stakc deserialize the structures?  You need a COM object that
matches the complexType's structure to map into.  There should be plenty
of documentation on this in the MS SOAP Toolkit.


> I am beginning to think that my only option is to scrap the
> ASP approach and implement the interface using JSP.

Absolutely not - Interop between toolkits it the only reason for any of
this SOAP stuff to exist!

Jim