Description: WADL, which stands for Web Application Description Language, is an XML-based format used to describe web applications that operate over the HTTP protocol. Its main goal is to provide a structured representation of the resources and services that a web application offers, thus facilitating interaction between different systems. WADL allows developers to understand how to interact with an API (Application Programming Interface) by detailing the available methods, required parameters, and expected responses. This language is inspired by WSDL (Web Services Description Language), which is used for SOAP-based web services, but is specifically designed for RESTful applications. Among its most notable features are the ability to describe resources, HTTP methods (such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE), and the representation of data in different formats, such as XML or JSON. WADL has become a valuable tool for API documentation and development, as it allows developers to automatically generate clients and servers from the provided description, improving interoperability and reducing development time.
History: WADL was first introduced in 2009 as part of an effort to standardize the description of RESTful services. Although it did not achieve the same popularity as other API description formats, such as OpenAPI (formerly known as Swagger), it has been used in various applications and projects. Its development was driven by the need for a clearer and more structured way to document REST APIs, which often lacked a formal specification.
Uses: WADL is primarily used to document RESTful APIs, allowing developers to understand how to interact with the services offered. It facilitates the automatic generation of client and server code, saving time and reducing errors in development. Additionally, WADL can be useful in creating testing and validation tools for APIs, as well as in integrating different systems.
Examples: A practical example of WADL is its use in various public and private service APIs, where a description of the available resources and methods is provided to interact with their services. Another case is the use of WADL in enterprise applications that require clear and structured documentation of their APIs to facilitate integration with other systems.
