Can anyone show me a good source to learn web services?

Question

I currently don't know any thing about web services, except that they are used to allow an application to share its functions.

• Where & how to start?
• Does any book on web services work with me if I use PHP as my programming language?
• Does anyone know any IRC channel for help?
• Does anyone know of a directory for tutorials for a beginner?
• Is it complicated?
• Does it take a long time to learn?

Answer 1

Web services are not hard to learn. If you already have PHP experience then you know most of what you need to do a web service. This article might start you off creating your first web service in php.

Answer 2

I've used two good books in the past that focus on web services and PHP. Professional Web APIs with PHP is good if you want to quickly get started using 3rd party APIs (like Amazon, Google, eBay, etc.). It has tons of example PHP code to get you started. Pro PHP XML and Web Services is what you want if you're interested in implementing web services of your own using PHP.

Answer 3

I recommend you start with Apache Axis2. Go through Axis2/C and Axis2/Java docs. You can also find lot of useful tutorials/articles/etc on Web services in WSO2 online library. To start with, refer to the following couple of articles on Axis2/C.

1. Introducing Apache Axis2/C

2. Apache Axis2/C - Web Services Engine

If you are looking for a PHP Web services framework, I suggest you try out the WSO2 WSF/PHP.

I also think you will find the PHP Web Services blog pretty useful.