A language to describe Web services

Problem: I want to use your Web Service

• Where can I find it?
• What messages are accepted / generated? What syntax?
• How should they be transmitted?

Need standard format for describing Web Services

WSDL 1.1 (W3C Submission) used as a starting point

• Work started in January 2002
• Done by Web Services Description Working Group
• 49 participants representing 32 Member organizations