Web Services Q&A - July 2002

Section A: PowerBuilder and Web Services

1. How do I consume Web services using PowerBuilder?
2. I would like to expose a COM DLL built using PowerBuilder as a Web service. How do I accomplish this?
3. Is it possible to expose Sybase stored procedures as Web services? How is this done?
4. We want to develop web applications under the .NET framework. We currently have client/server PowerBuilder applications. Can they be migrated into a .NET type of environment or would it be best to redevelop then using the Microsoft family of products?

Section B: Web Services FAQ

5. What is ebXML?

1. How do I consume Web services using PowerBuilder?

It is very simple to make PowerBuilder applications consume Web Services. PowerBuilder 9.0 provides wizards for developers to specify a WSDL file, its services and ports, and then PowerBuilder will generate the proxy in PowerScript for your Web Services and build PowerBuilder applications that consume the Web Service(s). If you use PowerBuilder?s JSP client, PowerBuilder will generate custom tags for your JSP to access Web Services. The PowerBuilder 9.0 Beta is available on Sybase.com at http://www.sybase.com/betapb90program.

It requires a third-party tool from Microsoft and some manual work to expose a COM object to Web Services.

3. Is it possible to expose Sybase stored procedures as Web services? How is this done?

A possible approach is to wrap your stored procedure as a PowerBuilder NVO, deploy it on EAServer, and expose it as a Web Service(s).

4. We want to develop web applications under the .NET framework. We currently have client/server PowerBuilder applications. Can they be migrated into a .NET type of environment or would it be best to redevelop then using the Microsoft family of products?

Sybase is committed to delivering PowerBuilder DataWindow.NET and DataStore.NET, and making PowerBuilder NVO components available on the .NET framework. Developers will be able to continue their high productivity in building PowerBuilder components and deploying to the .NET framework.

It would not be wise to redevelop your PowerBuilder applications in Microsoft family products in terms of cost and time. For case studies on how extending PowerBuilder applications to Sybase EAServer is beneficial, see the PowerBuilder to EAServer Web site.

5. What is ebXML?

A summary on ebXML comes directly from ebXML.org - ebXML enables enterprises of any size, in any location to meet and conduct business through the exchange of XML-based messages.

The overall mission of ebXML is, ?To provide an open XML-based infrastructure enabling the global use of electronic business information in an interoperable, secure and consistent manner by all parties.?

ebXML.org?s more detailed definition is: ?ebXML (Electronic Business using eXtensible Markup Language), sponsored by UN/CEFACT and OASIS, is a modular suite of specifications that enables enterprises of any size and in any geographical location to conduct business over the Internet. Using ebXML, companies now have a standard method to exchange business messages, conduct trading relationships, communicate data in common terms and define and register business processes.?

For more information on UN/CEFACT, visit http://www.unece.org/cefact
For more information on OASIS, visit http://www.oasis-open.org

As the enterprise software company that makes everything work together, Sybase is a leading implementer of ebXML products.

Sybase BPI Suite: Web Services Integrator
Web Services Integrator (WSI) is an enterprise solution addressing the complex requirements for multi-entity collaboration across a company's value chain. WSI is a platform for seamlessly integrating business processes and enterprise data between trading partners, based on leading edge standards for business-to-business collaboration such as Web Services, ebXML, and RosettaNet. WSI is a component of the Sybase Business Process Integration (BPI) Suite.

Sybase Open Source for ebXML Messaging
Sybase Open Source for ebXML Messaging is the open source project developed by the Sybase eBusiness engineering team to support the ebXML 2.0 Messaging Services Specification over HTTP protocol.

About Sybase Web Services Computing

Sybase is rolling out real integration business solutions in two distinct ways with support for Web services in existing infrastructure software, and the introduction of new products that allow companies to bridge the gap between different levels of adoption of Web services. In addition, Sybase supports the development of standards for Web services through its participation in the newly formed Web Services Interoperability Organization (WS-I) as well as the Organization for Structured Information Standards (OASIS).

Sybase technology is Web services-enabled to expose a wide variety of existing software components, including Java™, Enterprise Java Beans™, database stored procedures, CICS components, ERP applications like SAP®, PeopleSoft® and Siebel® and mobile wireless services. In the near future Sybase will extend its support to include C, C++ and the PowerBuilder® NVO (Non-Visual Objects) as well as more adaptors for ERP and CRM applications and vertical adaptors in healthcare and financial services

Sybase provides solutions that let companies adapt Web services at different times with offerings that bridge the gap of heterogeneous technologies and architectures and allow customers to choose a combination of technologies and/or platforms to develop and deploy Web services.