Summary

In this chapter, we briefly looked at all aspects of creating Web methods, steering clear of any discussion of how the service will be consumed (except in our practical example). We started with an overall view of the XML Web service model, and we looked at creating an .asmx file, adding an @WebService directive, and then adding the functionality for the Web methods. We looked at attributes that affect the WSDL that is produced, and you saw how changes in the configuration files can be used to affect the WSDL.

Next we considered how state can be managed within a Web method and what to consider when you write asynchronous services. We discussed how to look after the upgrading of your Web service, and we discussed methods for debugging and deploying your Web service and putting it up for discovery. This chapter reiterated some material from previous chapters as part of the overview of how to create a Web method. In the next chapter, we’ll look at the other end of the process: how the service will be consumed.