[RESOLVED] Sending XML requests to an API

t1provider

I am working on new project where XML requests with specified data needs to be sent to an api and then the API returns results in xml. Does anyone know a good place to find examples for this type of project? Or, how you send and receive xml requests.

Process logic:

1: User enters data in user interface
2: Server gets request
3: XML request sent to API at another site
4: API / remote server returns the result in xml
5: server displays the results in the browser

Shrike

Are you talking SOAP here? Theres a SOAP PHP module.

ysu

You can use cURL or fsockopen() if it's a simple xml request, not a web service.
If it's a web service, your best bet is soap.

If you want a simple solution, try cURL, but I must admin I just discared one such solution, as it was hanging from time to time (in around 20% of the cases) for some unknown reason. Altho this was my first such problem and no-one heard of similar around several php boards, so quite likely it was some local issue on the server used.

With fsockopen you have complete control, but you have to take care of basically everything, down to http headers.

t1provider

I don't know if soap will work with this api. It is a Web/HTTP-based interface with their own specific xml format for the requests. I am confused with how to send the xml Web/HTTP-based requests and how parsing works with PHP and xml.

I know a socket needs to be opened first.

ysu

Unless you're waiting for turnkey solutions, the php manual is your friend:
www.php.net/curl
www.php.net/fsockopen

t1provider

yes, I like the manual, but learning by example is always nice if anyone know of any examples on the web for sending these type of requests.

ysu

I can recommend the annoted manual, there are plenty of examples there.
Plus, google is your friend:
php curl examples

If you're stuck, yell out. 🙂

t1provider

thanks for the starting points.