Today, almost 6 years after I became involved, WSDL 2.0 became a W3C Recommendation.  The Web Services Description Working Group of which I'm a co-chair ends shortly too, with it's charter running out this week and the Working Group disbanding thereafter.  Seems like the end of an era.

But it's really just a new beginning.  IBM's testimonial indicates support in a new version of the IBM CICS Transaction Server being released this week.  Support in our own WSO2 Web Services Application Server appears imminent, with a 2.0 version due out in a few weeks.  And my own pet project the WSO2 Mashup Server makes significant use of WSDL 2.0; we're trying to do our first alpha release in the next week or two as well.  A number of helpful tools are appearing, like the W3C WSDL 1.1->WSDL 2.0 converter, a similar converter at WSO2.org, and my own annotated stylesheets.

I was especially gratified to see a number of companies indicating that they will support WDSL 2.0 in their products and operations, and even willing to go on the record.  From the press release: 

Many companies have stated that they expect to support WSDL 2.0 in upcoming product releases, including Adobe Systems Inc.; CA; IBM; Sun Microsystems, Inc; webMethods; and WSO2...

I'm confident that developers, given the opportunity to choose WSDL 2.0 over WSDL 1.1, will be happy to make the upgrade, and will be favor vendors make that option available.

Congratulations to all the WG members for the long and hard work involved in getting us there.  Recs and WG endings can seem rather anticlimactic, but don't forget to raise a glass tonight wherever you are to a job well done!

While you're holding your breath for the anticipated WSDL 2.0 Recommendation, check out Eran's podcast on the WSO2 Oxygen Tank, talking about WSDL 2.0 and how it's supported in the WSO2 Web Service Application Server.

Finally getting some of my photo backlog organized, starting with our spring break camping trip to the Anza Borrego desert east of San Diego.  A barren place, but with lots of gems of interest tucked away for those willing to seek them out - from palm oases, petroglyphs, rock formations, blooming ocotillo stands, the rare and mysterious elephant trees, ghost towns, hot springs.  Quite an interesting place, more interesting than my photos were able to capture, but like the desert I think there are a few gems hidden within nonetheless!