SOAP API basics

SOAP API (Simple Object Access Protocol API) can be used to create, retrieve, delete, update records. We can use SOAP API in any language that supports web services.

We can create, update, delete, retrieve records in force.com from any external system that supports SOAP based web services by using force.com SOAP API (like Java, .net etc.…) with more than 20 different calls.

SOAP-API also allows you to maintain passwords, perform searches, retrieve metadata.

Salesforce provides two different SOAP API WSDLs (WSDL: Web service description language).

1. Enterprise WSDL

2. Partner WSDL

What is WSDL?

WSDL (Web service description language) is an XML document which contains a standardized description on how to communicate using a web service.

What is Enterprise WSDL?

Enterprise WSDL is a strongly typed WSDL for customers who want to build an integration with their Salesforce organization.  It is intended primarily for customers.

What is partner WSDL?

Partner WSDL is a loosely typed WSDL for customers and partners who are building client applications for multiple originations. This WSDL can be used to access data within any organization. It I intended primarily for partners.

How to download WSDL file?

Click Setup -> Customize -> Develop -> API
Click the link to download the appropriate WSDL.
and Save the file locally, giving the file a “.wsdl” extension.