Web服务描述语言

 Web服务描述语言(WSDL)是一种基于XML的语言，它用来描述提供的商业服务，以便于个人或其它企业通过电子方式访问那些服务。WSDL是统一描述，发现和集成(UDDI)的里程碑。UDDI是由Microsoft, IBM, and Ariba等公司发起，旨在创建一个基于XML的标准，允许世界范围内的商业企业注册它们的名称和所提供的服务。WSDL就是用来实现UDDI的语言。

WSDL是从微软的简单对象访问协议(SOAP)和IBM的网络访问服务说明语言(NASSL)发展而来，并在UDDI注册中取代了两者，成为表达商业服务的方式。

原文如下：

Web Services Description Language  
 
The Web Services Description Language (WSDL) is an XML-based language used to describe the services a business offers and to provide a way for individuals and other businesses to access those services electronically. WSDL is the cornerstone of the Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration (UDDI) initiative spearheaded by Microsoft, IBM, and Ariba. UDDI is an XML-based registry for businesses worldwide, which enables businesses to list themselves and their services on the Internet. WSDL is the language used to do this.

WSDL is derived from Microsoft's Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and IBM's Network Accessible Service Specification Language (NASSL). WSDL replaces both NASSL and SOAP as the means of expressing business services in the UDDI registry.