UNITSML discussion: WSDL conversion services

["Peter J. Linstrom" <peter.linstrom@nist.gov>]

All,

   This message is intended to be part of the "asynchronous"
part of the August UnitsML discussion.

   During the August 13 meeting we briefly discussed the
"WSDLConversionFrom" element. This element is intended to
be a reference to on-line services which can provide unit
conversions. I believe the simplest way to handle this
is to simply point to a WSDL file which describes the
resource. This would mean that the amount of information
which would need to be stored in the element would be
minimized. Specifically I believe that only the following
would need to be stored:

1.) Identifier for source unit.
2.) Comment describing the service.
3.) URL for the appropriate WSDL file.

This has the advantage of being simple and robust with
respect to different types of services (since all of the
information is in the WSDL file). However this approach
has some drawbacks:

* There is no way to map unit names to parameter
  values in the WSDL service (if the service requires
  this information).
* There is no information about the format in which
  values are provided and returned.
* There is no information about the accuracy of the
  conversion.

Since this is version 1 of UnitsML I do not think these
drawbacks (which could be addressed in later versions)
outweigh the value of recording WSDL service information.

   I would greatly appreciate any input that others
on the committee may have on this issue.

Peter Linstrom

================================================
Peter J. Linstrom
NIST, Physical and Chemical Properties Division
Phone: (301) 975-5422
================================================
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <carlisle@nist.gov>
To: <unitsml@lists.oasis-open.org>
Cc: <Robin.Barker@npl.co.uk>
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 10:32 AM
Subject: [unitsml] Groups - Teleconference Minutes for Aug 13-27, 2008, 
Meeting (telecon20080813.pdf) uploaded


> Audio from the Aug 13 teleconference is available at:
> http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/download.php/29043/20080813_8kbps.wma
>
> and, in higher quality, at:
> http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/download.php/29044/20080813_32kbps.mp3
>
> -- Mr. Mark Carlisle
>
> The document named Teleconference Minutes for Aug 13-27, 2008, Meeting
> (telecon20080813.pdf) has been submitted by Mr. Mark Carlisle to the OASIS
> UnitsML TC document repository.
>
> Document Description:
>
>
> View Document Details:
> http://www.oasis-open.org/apps/org/workgroup/unitsml/document.php?document_id=29045
>
> Download Document:
> http://www.oasis-open.org/apps/org/workgroup/unitsml/download.php/29045/telecon20080813.pdf
>
>
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