What are the tools and other things I need to create a web Services ?

[Vijay Nimkarde]

Hi ,
I am Java developer working on the core Java and J2ee. but i am not aware with Java Web services.

What are the tools and other things I need to create a web Services ?

please reply .
Thanks in advanced.

[Ivan Krizsan]

Hi!
Strictly speaking, you are able to develop web services with only the Java SE 6 JDK.
For convenience, you may want an application server, such as GlassFish, or at least a web container, such as Tomcat.
If you choose to use Tomcat, then you need to supply a web service stack. In the case of GlassFish, everything is already prepared and the Metro web service stack is installed per default.
Apart from an IDE and appropriate plugin(s), you may also want a test-tool such as soapUI and a packed sniffer, such as Wireshark (all this is optional, but very convenient at times).
Best wishes!

[Vijay Nimkarde]

Thanks Ivan for your reply.

I have 3 questions in my mind.

1)It is really surprising to develop web services with only the Java SE 6 JDK? Is that really ? .
2)Can we develop web service without using test-tool such as soapUI and a packed sniffer,or Wireshark , whats the main purpose of these tools ?
3)what actually web service stack, is also optional ?

please I am actually want to develop the web service soon for the client.

[Ivan Krizsan]

Hi again!

Vijay Nimkarde wrote:
1)It is really surprising to develop web services with only the Java SE 6 JDK? Is that really ? .

This is possible since, from Java SE 6, the JDK (or JRE) contains all the APIs needed to develop SOAP web services.
There is even a class called Endpoint (if I remember correctly) that allows you to start a web service endpoint that can accept requests.

2)Can we develop web service without using test-tool such as soapUI and a packed sniffer,or Wireshark , whats the main purpose of these tools ?

You can develop any code without test-tools, but testing is of course beneficial!
I use soapUI extensively both to test web services, but also to mock out a web service that is used from the system I develop.
I use Wireshark when I need to see what data is sent to, or received by, a web service but does not have the opportunity to redirect the data to a TCP sniffer.

3)what actually web service stack, is also optional ?

The Endpoint class will enable you to start a web service endpoint. It is not something I would recommend for production use, but it works for testing, for instance.
If you want a web service stack, I would suggest Metro. It is a good starting point, being simple and easy to work with, and also works well in production.
Good luck with your project!

[Vijay Nimkarde]

Thanks This will be very helpful , I will get back hear again If i need.