How to Work with Processes > Working with the Web Services Processes Group

Process Purpose

The "HTTP Request" process is used to execute an HTTP request to a specific URL (call a web service).

This process is especially useful when dealing with SOAP requests/responses that consist of arrays and/or other complex structures.

To parse the received JSON and XML data, use processes such as "JSON to Variable(s)", "JSON to File", "XML to Variable(s)" or "XML to File".

The parsing of data into a local database requires the use of more processes. Ex: Firstly, parse the data into a data file and, secondly, copy its content into the local database with a "Local File to DB" process.

When you add a process, you are required to define its settings. This occurs in the process's properties window which is displayed automatically after having added the HTTP request process. In this case, the properties window includes four tabs - "URL", "Call", "Response" and "Error".

If any subsequent edition is required, double-click the process to open its properties window and enter the necessary modifications.

"URL" tab

Fill in the following options:

URL	Enter the URL OR click to access the URL Assistant. See Detail of URL Assistant. As an alternative, you can use a variable to define the URL (use the "Variable Select" option that is accessed if you right-click this box).

Proceed to the "Call" tab.

"Call" tab

Fill in the following options:

HTTP Request

Method

Define the desired HTTP method from the drop-down ("HEAD", "GET", "POST" or "PUT") OR click and select a variable with that value. See Variable Usage.

Media

Define the desired media for the HTTP request from the drop-down OR click and select a variable with that value.

Headers

Define the desired headers OR click and select a variable with that value.

Send (Body)

Source

Select the source of the request's body - "Variable" (default option) or "File".

The selection of the source ("Variable"/"File") affects the related option (located below).

Variable/File

Depending on the selected source, you will access the corresponding field:

Source	Related Field
Variable	Variable field - Click and select the variable that contains the intended request's body.
File	File field - Select the data file with the body from the drop-down. If necessary, click to edit the selected data file. See Editing a Data File.

Continue to the "Response" tab.

"Response" tab

Fill in the following options:

Response (Body)
Destination	It is possible to store the response body into a variable (default option) or a data file: •If you keep the default "Variable" option, select the intended target variable by clicking . See To Select/Create a Variable. •If you want to receive/store the response body in a file, check the "File" option. Once checked, this option activates a "File" drop-down. Select one of the available data files. If required, click to edit the selected data file. See Editing a Data File.
Response (Header)
Full Header	Click to select the variable that will receive/store the web service's headers.
Status Code	Click to select the variable that will receive/store the web service's status code.
Content Type	Click to select the variable that will receive/store the web service's content type.

Proceed to the "Error" tab.

"Error" tab

Fill in the following options:

If … Go to

Comm Error

Select a target location from the drop-down or list, in case there is a communications error. See Detail of a window below.

When defining a screen as a target destination (ex: via a “Go to” process), you CANNOT use variables to specify the name of that target screen. You must select the intended screen from the available drop-down/list.

HTTP Error

Select a target location from the drop-down or list, in case there is an "HTTP Error". See Detail of a window below.

Detail of a window:

"S:Menu" is a screen included in the same program as the process.

"R:Routine_1" is a routine included in the same program as the process.

If required, use the icons on the upper right corner of the properties window:

•Click to define a time out. See Time Out.

•Click to attach any relevant notes to this process. Click it and enter your notes in the resulting text box. These notes will be displayed in the corresponding "Actions" tab or "Process" window (in the "Notes" field) and in the "Developer Report".

After filling in the required options, click to conclude or to abort the operation.

The added process is displayed in the corresponding "Actions" tab or "Process" window.

If you want to use a label as a target destination, you can use the "Auto-Label" mechanism. This alternative to the "Set Label" process allows you to create a label in the properties window of a process - specifically, in the fields used to define target destinations (ex: the "If Error..." type fields). See To Automatically Create a Label.

Use the right-click in MCL-Designer's input boxes to access some related options as well as the general "Cut", "Copy"; "Paste"; "Search" actions (active/inactive according to the current context).

Ex: If you right-click the "Variable" input box (included in a "Conversion's" properties window), you are provided with general editing/search actions and other more specific options such as "Variable Select" (see "Variable Select"); "Variable Insert" (see "Variable Insert"); "Insert Special Character" (see To Insert Special Characters into a Control's Text Input Field) and "Localization Select" (see Localization List).

If you right-click another input box, it may provide other possibilities.