Basic Web Service concepts

                                  Web service is a way of communication that allows interoperability between different applications on different platforms, for example, a java based application on Windows can communicate with a .Net based one on Linux. The communication can be done through a set of XML messages over HTTP protocol.
                                 Web services are browsers and operating system independent service, which means it can run on any browser without the need of making any changes. Web Services take Web-applications to the Next Level.The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has defined the web services. According to W3C, “Web Services are the message-based design frequently found on the Web and in enterprise software. The Web of Services is based on technologies such as HTTP, XML, SOAP, WSDL, SPARQL, and others.”
Why you need to learn web services:
 
Reuse already developed(old) functionality into new software: Lets understand with very simple example.Lets say you are developing a finance software for a company on java and you have old .net software which manages salary of employees.So rather then developing new software for employee part,you can use old software and for other parts like infrastructure you can develop your own functionalities.
Usability Web Services allow the business logic of many different systems to be exposed over the Web. This gives your applications the freedom to chose the Web Services that they need. Instead of re-inventing the wheel for each client, you need only include additional application-specific business logic on the client-side. This allows you to develop services and/or client-side code using the languages and tools that you want.
Interoperability :This is the most important benefit of Web Services. Web Services typically work outside of private networks, offering developers a non-proprietary route to their solutions.Web Services also let developers use their preferred programming languages. In addition, thanks to the use of standards-based communications methods, Web Services are virtually platform-independent.
Loosely Coupled:Each service exists independently of the other services that make up the application. Individual pieces of the application to be modified without impacting unrelated areas.
Ease of Integration:Data is isolated between applications creating ’silos’. Web Services act as glue between these and enable easier communications within and across organisations.
Deployability :Web Services are deployed over standard Internet technologies. This makes it possible to deploy Web Services even over the fire wall to servers running on the Internet on the other side of the globe. Also thanks to the use of proven community standards, underlying security (such as SSL) is already built-in.

Some jargons used in Web services:
Simple Object Access Protocol(SOAP):
SOAP is a protocol specification for exchanging structured information in the implementation of Web services in computer networks. It relies on XML as its message format.
Web Service Description Language(WSDL):
WSDL stands for Web Service Description Language. It is an XML file that describes
the technical details of how to implement a web service, more specifically the URI,
port, method names, arguments, and data types. Since WSDL is XML, it is both
human-readable and machine-consumable, which aids in the ability to call and bind to
services dynamically.
Elements of WSDL are:
Description:
It is the root element of a WSDL 2.0 file. It usually contains a set of name space declarations which are used throughout the WSDL file. 
Types:
The WSDL types element describes the data types used by your web service.Data types are usually specified by XML schema.It can be described in any language as long as your web services API supports it.

Binding:
The WSDL binding element describes how your web service is bound to a protocol. In other words, how your web service is accessible. To be accessible, the web service must be reachable using some network protocol. This is called "binding" the web service to the protocol.

Interface:
The WSDL interface element describes the operations supported by your web service.It is similar to methods in programming language.Client can only call one opertion per request. 

Service:
It describes the endpoint of your web service. In other words, the address where the web service can be reached.

Endpoint:
The endpoint element describes the address of the web service. The endpoint binding attribute describes what binding element this endpoint uses.i.e. protocol with which you will access web service. The address attribute describes the URI at which you can access the service.

Message:
The message element describes the data being exchanged between the Web service providers and consumers.

Sample WSDL file:
   <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<wsdl:definitions targetNamespace="http://webservices.javapostsforlearning.arpit.org" xmlns:apachesoap="http://xml.apache.org/xml-soap" xmlns:impl="http://webservices.javapostsforlearning.arpit.org" xmlns:intf="http://webservices.javapostsforlearning.arpit.org" xmlns:wsdl="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/wsdl/" xmlns:wsdlsoap="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/wsdl/soap/" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
<!--WSDL created by Apache Axis version: 1.4
Built on Apr 22, 2006 (06:55:48 PDT)-->
 <wsdl:types>
  <schema elementFormDefault="qualified" targetNamespace="http://webservices.javapostsforlearning.arpit.org" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
   <element name="sayHelloWorld">
    <complexType>
     <sequence>
      <element name="name" type="xsd:string"/>
     </sequence>
    </complexType>
   </element>
   <element name="sayHelloWorldResponse">
    <complexType>
     <sequence>
      <element name="sayHelloWorldReturn" type="xsd:string"/>
     </sequence>
    </complexType>
   </element>
  </schema>
 </wsdl:types>
   <wsdl:message name="sayHelloWorldRequest">
      <wsdl:part element="impl:sayHelloWorld" name="parameters"/>
   </wsdl:message>
   <wsdl:message name="sayHelloWorldResponse">
      <wsdl:part element="impl:sayHelloWorldResponse" name="parameters"/>
   </wsdl:message>
   <wsdl:portType name="HelloWorld">
      <wsdl:operation name="sayHelloWorld">
         <wsdl:input message="impl:sayHelloWorldRequest" name="sayHelloWorldRequest"/>
         <wsdl:output message="impl:sayHelloWorldResponse" name="sayHelloWorldResponse"/>
      </wsdl:operation>
   </wsdl:portType>
   <wsdl:binding name="HelloWorldSoapBinding" type="impl:HelloWorld">
      <wsdlsoap:binding style="document" transport="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/http"/>
      <wsdl:operation name="sayHelloWorld">
         <wsdlsoap:operation soapAction=""/>
         <wsdl:input name="sayHelloWorldRequest">
            <wsdlsoap:body use="literal"/>
         </wsdl:input>
         <wsdl:output name="sayHelloWorldResponse">
            <wsdlsoap:body use="literal"/>
         </wsdl:output>
      </wsdl:operation>
   </wsdl:binding>
   <wsdl:service name="HelloWorldService">
      <wsdl:port binding="impl:HelloWorldSoapBinding" name="HelloWorld">
         <wsdlsoap:address location="http://localhost:8080/SimpleSOAPExample/services/HelloWorld"/>
      </wsdl:port>
   </wsdl:service>
</wsdl:definitions>
Universal Description, Discovery and Integration(UDDI):
UDDI stands for Universal Description, Discovery and Integration.It is a directory service. Web services can register with a UDDI and make themselves available through it for discovery

Web service design approaches:

Contract last or Bottom up approach:
When using contract last approach,you first write your java code then you create web service contract(WSDL) .There are various kinds of tools which can generate WSDL on the basis of java code.
s
It  is reverse of contract first.Here you first define web service contract.You define all the elements of WSDL first then after that you create your java logic.

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New High-Tech Plants Could Detect Bombs or Chemical Weapons

Interesting news to share with you friends , Researchers have embedded a tiny structures called carbon nanotubes , which is fixed the energy-making factories of plants, increasing their light-capturing ability by 30 percent. Using other carbon nanotubes, the researchers made plants sensitive to the atmospheric pollutant nitric acid.Plants repair themselves, they were environmentally stable outside, they survive in harsh environments, and they provide their own power source and water distribution.
The researchers were originally working on building self-repairing solar cells based on plant cells, which convert light into chemical energy, in the form of sugars and other compounds, by a process known as photosynthesis. The process relies on chloroplasts, the tiny energy factories inside plant cells.
To protect chloroplasts against the damage, the researchers embedded the chloroplasts with tiny antioxidant particles, or nanoparticles, which scoop up oxygen radicals and other highly reactive molecules. In order to deliver the nanoparticles, the researchers coated them in a highly charged molecule that allowed the particles to penetrate the fatty membranes of the chloroplasts. As a result of the nanoparticles, the amount of damaging molecules plummeted.Next, the researchers coated tiny cylinders called carbon nanotubes in negatively charged DNA and embedded them in the chloroplasts. The nanotubes worked like artificial antennae that allowed the plant to capture more light than usual.The rate of photosynthesis in the chloroplasts with embedded nanotubes was almost 50 percent greater than in isolated chloroplasts that lacked the nanotubes. When the researchers embedded both antioxidant nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes in the chloroplasts, these cells continued to function outside of the plant for even longer.
The researchers also improved the energy efficiency of living plants. They infused nanoparticles into a small flowering plant called Arabidopsis thaliana, improving photosynthesis by 30 percent.
Researchers also found a way to turn the Arabidopsis thaliana plants into chemical sensors, using carbon nanotubes that detect the pollutant nitric oxide, which is produced by combustion.The researchers have previously developed carbon nanotubes that detect the explosive TNT and the nerve gas sarin, so they might be able to turn plants into sensors to detect these toxins at low concentrations. Nanobionic plants could also be used to monitor pesticides, fungal infections or bacterial toxins.
nFinally this invention lead to powerful evolution in the field of Biotechnology. A pollution free bright future is on the way with help of these Engineering plants.

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Sony and Panasonic unveil 300 GB Archival Discs for long-term storage

Sony and Panasonic have jointly announced a new type of optical disc, which they're dubbing the Archival Disc. As the name of the media would suggest, it's aimed at long-term data storage, both through large capacities and durability.

When Archival Discs become commercially available in 2015, they'll sport 300 GB of storage through triple-layer, double-sided discs. Interestingly, the laser wavelength to read Archival Discs is identical to Blu-rays at 405 nm, although the track pitch has decreased from 320 nm to 225 nm. Sony and Panasonic have implemented cross talk cancellation technology, making the discs just as readable despite the narrower tracks.

Each disc is not only water and dust resistant, but also able to withstand significant changes in temperature and humidity. Sony and Panasonic say the Archival Disc will have "inter-generational compatibility between different formats", so the data on the discs can be read as the format evolves, but of course this claim remains to be seen.

In the future, the companies are hoping to increase the capacity of Archival Discs from 300 GB up to 500 GB and 1 TB through inter symbol interface cancelation technology and multi-level recording technology respectively. Archival Discs aren't meant to replace Blu-rays, but they will be promoted in the professional space as an "effective solution for protecting valuable data into the future".

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AMD launches Rewards program to give away free games and hardware

If you're a PC gamer with an AMD Radeon graphics card, you might be very interested in AMD's latest Rewards program. The Rewards program expands on what is offered already through AMD 's Gaming Evolved app - which was announced in partnership with Raptr during last year's GPU14 Tech Day - giving gamers the ability to win loads of free stuff.
To start with, users of the Gaming Evolved app will be able to collect points through performing different actions, such as optimizing the image quality of a game for the first time, playing specific games that are supported by the app, and engaging with the community.
The points collected in the Gaming Evolved app can be redeemed on a range of items, including Sapphire-branded Radeon R9 series graphics cards, ASTRO gaming headsets, GameFly subscriptions, GUNNAR gaming eyewear, discounts, and over 100,000 games. AMD says the total value of items in their exclusive store exceeds $5 million, which is certainly nothing to scoff at.
Raptr CEO Dennis Fong calls the AMD Rewards program a "a natural extension of what Raptr Rewards does for gamers", saying that it's "really great to be able to reward players for all the time and effort they’ve invested in playing games."
To jump straight into earning points in the AMD Rewards program, head to the Gaming Evolved download page and install the application.

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Microsoft OneDrive to offer 8GB bonus free storage and folder sharing feature

A couple of weeks ago, Microsoft renamed SkyDrive to OneDrive after losing a trademark dispute with British Sky Broadcasting Group over the "Sky" name. Although OneDrive is yet to make its debut, it looks like the service will provide some added features compared to SkyDrive. According to a LiveSlide report, Microsoft's cloud storage service will offer folder sharing, as well as 8GB bonus free storage for referrals and syncing your mobile device's camera roll to the service.

For every friend you invite and actually joins OneDrive, both you and your friend will get an extra 500 MB of storage, up to a maximum of 5GB free storage or 10 friends. Another 3GB free storage can be earned by syncing photos from your camera roll to OneDrive using the OneDrive app for iOS, Android, or the built-in Windows Phone function.

The bonus 8GB free storage does not expire, and would be in addition to the 7GB free storage (25GB for those who were one of the early SkyDrive adopters) that every new user gets.

OneDrive will also let you share folders. Dubbed 'co-owned folders', the feature would let you add, edit, and delete files, and invite people to a folder. Co-owned folders work just like any other personal folders within OneDrive, and you can sync them with any of your devices -- no offline access to shared content was one of the biggest limitations of SkyDrive over the past few years.

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Smartphone shipments reportedly surpass 1 billion in 2013

While cellphone shipments have hit one billion in a year previously, smartphones in particular have not, until now. According to the IDC, smartphones shipments surpassed one billion for the first time in 2013. Having said that, another research group called Strategy Analytics feels that the IDC's numbers are a little off and that smartphone shipments didn't quite hit the one billion milestone. Strategy Analytics says shipments topped out just shy of one billion at around 990 million, still quite an impressive number.

Here's a look at the IDC's top 5 smartphone vendors for 2013:

Whether smartphones hit the one billion mark or not, shipments in 2013 were up 40% compared to 2012 according to the IDC, with Samsung and Apple leading the charge once again. Strategy Analytics reported a growth of 41% for last year.

Based on the IDC's latest report, Samsung and Apple held the first and second positions with a little over 31% and 15% market share respectively. While Apple maintained its second place position, its share dropped from 18.7% to 15.3%. The numbers show somewhat significant market share growth from companies like Huawei, LG and Lenovo, all of which gained nearly a point or more in 2013. According to the IDC, growth of these companies is due to low cost, entry level devices aimed at countries like China and India.

Fourth quarter numbers essentially panned out similar to the yearly reports, Samsung landed on top but showed generally flat growth, with Apple's share slipping from 21% down to just under 18% year over year. Again, Lenovo, LG and Huawei showed nearly a point or more of growth in Q4 2013 compared to the same time the year prior.

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Apple working on two iPhones with larger screen sizes, sources say

The iPhone may have been a pioneering smartphone in a number of categories but one area where it has lagged behind is screen size. Initially resistant to what it deemed as the phablet fad, Cupertino is apparently gearing up to succumb to pressure from competitors in the large-screen smartphone market.

People familiar with the matter recently told the Wall Street Journal that Apple is planning two new iPhones with bigger screens. The first would feature a panel that is at least 4.5 inches measured diagonally while a second device will carry a screen larger than five inches.

The iPhone debuted with a 3.5-inch display that carried over year after year until the iPhone 5 hit the scene in late 2012 with a 4-inch panel. The current iPhone 5s and 5c both feature the same screen size as last year’s model.

The two upcoming handsets are expected to feature metal casings similar to existing models and we are told the plastic shell from the iPhone 5c will be laid to rest. Neither phone will carry a curved display despite the fact that Apple was recently granted a patent for curved touch surfaces. Rivals Samsung and LG have both announced handsets with curved displays in recent months.

The smaller of the two iPhones is reportedly further along in the development process. Sources cautioned that the plans haven’t been finalized and as such, Apple could change course at any time. Naturally, Apple declined to comment on the matter.

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Moborobo: The all-in-one PC manager for Android and iOS devices

There’s no denying the growing importance of mobile and the convenience of carrying an Internet-connected device at all times. But as we become increasingly attached to our phones for work and play it’s also important that our data is safely backed up and it can be easily moved from one device to another when it’s time for an upgrade. Without a proper management suite this can be quite a chore. Enter Moborobo.

Moborobo allows you to manage your Android or iOS device from a desktop PC (download here for Windows). Call history, photos, music, videos, messages, contacts, apps and even app data -- everything can be backed up and stored locally as an alternative to cloud-based backups. Users pick exactly what they want to backup and each backup version receives its own folder so you can later restore anything from any previous backup, not just the most recent one.

Aside from making it simple to migrate data between Android devices, Moborobo can also transfer contacts and message threads from iOS to Android and vice versa.

Its fondness for iOS doesn’t stop there but it’s limited compared to Android. Provided you have iTunes installed, hooking up your iDevice will give you an overview covering your device’s name and firmware version, the amount of storage used, and the number of messages, contacts, apps, images, music files and videos on your device.

Moborobo can do a lot more than backups. It gives users faster and more convenient access to everything on their smartphone or tablet, using a Explorer-style file manager to move videos, music, and pictures on or off a device with drag and drop ease. Likewise, you can add and edit contacts from your PC, manage playlists (iOS users can skip iTunes!), type notes and send them to your device's notes app or clipboard. Additionally, Android users can make calls from the desktop and send/receive SMS.

When it comes to personalization, Moborobo provides access to a library of wallpapers that can be loaded onto your device and a selection of ringtones to pick from as well. There’s a selection of Moborobo branded apps that you can load up on your Android device from the Moborobo software (or download from Google Play), including MoboDaemon to manage your device from a PC wirelessly, an ebook reader called MoboRead, a media player supporting a variety of formats known as MoboPlay, and a home screen replacement called Mobo Live which users can configure with their own widgets, shortcuts, themes, and transition effects.

Moborobo includes its own curated app marketplace called MoboMarket and a convenient app manager that lets you download and install apps on your mobile devices from the comfort of your desktop.

Download the latest version of Moborobo for Windows here.

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Google develops contact lens that can monitor glucose levels

Google has developed a contact lens that contains a glucose sensor, antenna, capacitor and a chip designed to help those with diabetes. The lens, which doesn’t restrict eyesight, takes glucose readings twice every second and sends the information to an external monitoring device via radio frequencies.

In a blog post on the matter, Google outlined the need for such a device. With one in 19 people on the planet dealing with diabetes, it can become like a part-time job to manage. Glucose levels change frequently throughout the day and must be kept in check at all times via painful blood drop tests, etc.

The team at Google [x] wondered if they could help and came up with the contact lens in question. It’s comprised of chips and sensors that look like bits of glitter and an antenna that is thinner than a human hair. The lens doesn’t rely on batteries but instead is able to get power from the monitoring device via, you guessed it, radio frequencies.

According to project lead Brian Otis, future models may even include a light source built into the lens that would let wearers know the status of their glucose levels without having to look at the external monitoring device. This could be activated when the wearer closes their eyes, for example.

Google said they are in discussions with the FDA regarding the device but admit there is still a lot of work that must be done before the technology can be brought to market.

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Deck 13 releases first Lords of the Fallen screenshots

Developers of the upcoming action-RPG, Lords of the Fallen, have released a couple of screenshots to satisfy the public's appetite. For anyone unfamiliar, the gothic-looking title is the brainchild of Tomasz Gop, the executive producer of the first two Witcher games. We first heard about the game last year, when Eurogamer secured an interview with Gop about his ambitious project.

"It's a challenging game, action RPG, which means a lot of advanced combat,” explained Gop. "When you walk through a location, and you have to fight 10 enemies, that takes around an hour.” He classified Lords of the Fallen as a mixture between Dark Souls and Borderlands, containing a challenging combat system that is laced with character customization and skill trees. The game is under development by the German studio Deck 13, but will be produced by City Interactive, which created Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2.

These screenshots are very Witcher-esque, boasting some very impressive visuals and lighting effects. We are not aware of which platform was used to create these stills, but the game will be developed for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Lords of the Fallen is due out sometime later this year, barring any setbacks or delays. We don't yet have a solid release date, but these screenshots should help to keep your eyes entertained until we hear more.

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