Java Webservice with generic methods

Question

Hi,

I was wondering if it is possible to make a generic webservice method in java like this:

@WebMethod
public <T extends Foo> void testGeneric(T data){

However when I try to consume this with a Java client I get an error stating:

[ERROR] Schema descriptor {http://####/}testGeneric in message part "parameters" is not defined and could not be bound to Java.

I know it is possible to make a method that takes a parameter such as List and this generates correctly using JAX-WS.

I don't mind if there is a solution that means I am tied to using only a particular technology.

Thanks, Dan.

Answer 1

I doubt it. But you can define a generic super interface and let your actual service interface extend it with parameters:

public interface BaseService<T>{
    T doWhackStuff();
}

public interface WhackyService extends BaseService<Whack>{
}

public interface EvenMoreWhackyService extends BaseService<Whackier>{
}

This approach usually only makes sense if you build your interfaces from multiple components:

public interface BaseService<T>{
    T doWhackStuff();
}

public interface ExtendedService<T>{
    T doMoreWhackStuff();
}

public interface DoubleWhackyService extends BaseService<Whack>, ExtendedService<Whack>{
}

I have not tested this approach in JAX-WS, but I know it works in Spring / GraniteDS / Flex