What defines services, how services are called, and service names in the context of web services?

The Web Services Description Language (WSDL) specifically defines services, how these services are called, and the names of the services in the context of web services. WSDL is an XML-based language used to describe the technical details of a web service, including its functionalities, the protocols it uses, and the format of the messages exchanged. It essentially provides a machine-readable description of the web services available, enabling clients to understand how to interact with these services effectively.

By defining the operations available on the service and the data types used in requests and responses, WSDL serves as a critical contract between service providers and consumers. This contract ensures that both parties have a clear understanding of how to communicate and what to expect in terms of functionality, making it fundamental for interoperable web services.