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Creating Web Service Using PHP Within 10 Minutes

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30 Oct 2013CPOL2 min read 550.8K   11.8K   32   62
Developing web service using PHP within 10 minutes

Introduction

Today, I am trying to write up on web service functionality and also how to consume it using PHP code. Basically, it is a very beginner level web service tip but you will gather knowledge step by step & easily run it on your server.

Contents

  1. What is SOAP?
  2. Why SOAP?
  3. Create web service method
  4. Consume web service

Background

What is SOAP?

SOAP is based on XML so it is considered human read. It is a protocol for accessing a Web Service. It is a simple XML-based protocol to let applications exchange information over HTTP.

Why SOAP?

In real field, so many applications are required for data communication between systems by Remote Procedure Calls (RPC) between objects like DCOM and CORBA but HTTP was not designed for this.

  • RPC represents compatibility
  • Security problem
  • Firewalls and proxy servers will normally block this kind of traffic.

A better way to communicate between applications is over HTTP as HTTP is supported by all Internet browsers and servers. That's why it is preferable to SOAP Service.

We can collaborate with other programmers building big size and complex applications in multiple platforms.

Using the Code

Here, I will create a web service using PHP code. So let’s follow the steps given below:

Step 1: You will download the library from http://sourceforge.net/projects/nusoap/.

Step 2: Run WAMP server, then you will go to www root folder location.

Step 3: Create folder, it’s called “WebServiceSOAP” into www root folder.

Step 4: Paste "lib" folder inside your "www/WebServiceSOAP/" location from Step 1 download files.

Step 5: Create two files “server.php” and “client.php” into WebServiceSOAP folder location.

Step 6: Inside “server.php”, please write the code lines given below:

PHP
<?php
//call library 
require_once ('lib/nusoap.php'); 
//using soap_server to create server object 
$server = new soap_server; 

//register a function that works on server 
$server->register('get_message'); 

// create the function 
function get_message($your_name) 
{ 
if(!$your_name){ 
return new soap_fault('Client','','Put Your Name!'); 
} 
$result = "Welcome to ".$your_name .". Thanks for Your First Web Service Using PHP with SOAP"; 
return $result; 
} 
// create HTTP listener 
$server->service($HTTP_RAW_POST_DATA); 
exit(); 
?>  

Step 7: After creating “server.php” file, now we will test this server function. Please go to URL & type http://localhost/WebServiceSOAP/server.php?wsdl.

Step 8: Create "client.php" file into WebServiceSOAP folder location. Please find the following code lines:

PHP
<?php 
require_once ('lib/nusoap.php'); 
//Give it value at parameter 
$param = array( 'your_name' => 'Monotosh Roy'); 
//Create object that referer a web services 
$client = new soapclient('http://localhost/WebServiceSOAP/server.php'); 
//Call a function at server and send parameters too 
$response = $client->call('get_message',$param); 
//Process result 
if($client->fault) 
{ 
echo "FAULT: <p>Code: (".$client->faultcode."</p>"; 
echo "String: ".$client->faultstring; 
} 
else 
{ 
echo $response; 
} 
?> 

Step 9: Save all codes, then please go to URL and type http://localhost/WebServiceSOAP/client.php.

Result: Welcome to Monotosh Roy. Thanks for Your First Web Service Using PHP with SOAP

So, today I have shown you how to use simple SOAP web service and to get message from service at client end.

Hope this post will help you to create a simple web service using SOAP. Post your queries if you have any or if there is anything else, please share. Keep visiting for new posts here.
Have a good day!

History

  • 21st October, 2013: Initial post - Step by step understanding of web service functionality

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)


Written By
Architect
Bangladesh Bangladesh
My Name is Monotosh Roy (Mon), Completed Bachelor In Computer Science from West Bengal University of Technology, India & M.Sc. In Computer Science & Engineering from United International University. I have lots of experience on core software development with API service integration more than 8 years using tools- ASP.Net, C#, PL/SQL, WCF, SAP, SugerCRM, Salesforce, VBA Excel Export, Web Service, PHP, and MVC 2/3/4 etc. I had successfully implemented more than 200 projects in boundary as well across boundary followed by project management tools like as Agile, PMP & BCM-

Worked on freelancing marketplace in US & other countries through Odesk, Elance & Freelancer etc

LinkedIn Profile- bd.linkedin.com/in/monotoshroy/

Comments and Discussions

 
QuestionThis actually has a lot of issues. Pin
Sammy Hale5-Mar-23 10:21
Sammy Hale5-Mar-23 10:21 
AnswerRe: This actually has a lot of issues - What did you expect? Pin
OriginalGriff5-Mar-23 10:24
mveOriginalGriff5-Mar-23 10:24 
QuestionHere is what works for me - with discussion Pin
hanksterr721-Jun-17 12:45
hanksterr721-Jun-17 12:45 
Generalsohail Pin
Member 1175033417-Jul-16 9:41
Member 1175033417-Jul-16 9:41 
GeneralRe: sohail Pin
Member 1305151910-Mar-17 8:50
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QuestionHelp me Pin
Member 1207852218-Dec-15 6:15
Member 1207852218-Dec-15 6:15 
QuestionTO_SIOLVE_THE_PROBLEM_OF_WSDL Pin
Member 121875264-Dec-15 23:16
Member 121875264-Dec-15 23:16 
GeneralWell Done! thank you - so much. Very clear article.aavr Pin
Member 1138034918-Sep-15 20:54
Member 1138034918-Sep-15 20:54 
BugError In this code when i run this code Pin
Member 119644017-Sep-15 0:14
Member 119644017-Sep-15 0:14 
GeneralRe: Error In this code when i run this code Pin
John Gunther20-Oct-15 6:08
John Gunther20-Oct-15 6:08 
BugNot Run Pin
Member 117544029-Jun-15 17:36
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BugError Pin
Member 1171671831-May-15 23:46
Member 1171671831-May-15 23:46 
QuestionAssistance writing Web Service for data. Pin
Daniel H Oostra4-May-15 5:28
Daniel H Oostra4-May-15 5:28 
QuestionWeb Service Error Pin
Member 1161227316-Apr-15 2:30
Member 1161227316-Apr-15 2:30 
BugThis service does not provide WSDL PinPopular
Member 115719041-Apr-15 0:25
Member 115719041-Apr-15 0:25 
Questionserver.php eror Pin
Iqbal Habibie12-Mar-15 15:34
Iqbal Habibie12-Mar-15 15:34 
AnswerRe: server.php eror Pin
abudulwadoodu19-Apr-15 21:07
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Question[My vote of 1] down vote Pin
john010128-Feb-15 21:51
john010128-Feb-15 21:51 
GeneralMy vote of 2 Pin
ke4ktz9-Jan-15 9:15
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QuestionError Pin
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GeneralThank You Pin
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Questionnot working on xamp Pin
vivekharnal13-Nov-14 20:19
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AnswerRe: not working on xamp Pin
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GeneralMy vote of 1 Pin
arpit goyal13811-Nov-14 19:58
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GeneralRe: My vote of 1 Pin
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Iqbal Habibie12-Mar-15 15:36 

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