WSDL/SOAP/XML-RPC HELP

[Tomislav Lepusic]

Hello,

I don't know if this is the right group (I'm more in Perl, know nothing 
about Python), so if you can help me thanks, if not, sorry to bother you.


I'm working on my student project and I'm totally lost and don't have 
any idea how to continue, and the deadline is 1.9.2004. Please help, 
'couse i'm loosing myself in this XML/SOAP/RPC/WSDL things......

A little discription.
I have to define and make something like virtual driver for serial port 
(RS232), only it isn't really a driver. The server has to be on Linux 
box (physical port(s) is/are there), and the other side (client) is not 
inportant. It is not important what is connected on serial port. Also, 
there is no need to work on any kind of drivers on Windows or something, 
becouse that is not the point. I have to make an universal way to 
send/recive/control serial port on that server computer from anywhere. I 
know how to program for serial port on Linux (in C), and I have made 
some progress there. That low-level programing isn't the problem. The 
problem is how to make it work over the net, so that someone who wants 
to write a program on Windows or Mac can use something universal to 
access it (like XML). I HAVE TO USE XML-RPC or SOAP or WSDL or 
something like that. The problem is that I don't know how to use those 
technologies. I read some tutorials, guides on XML-RPC, SOAP and WSDL, 
and I'm totally lost now.
BTW, I was planning to use Perl becouse I know something about it. (I 
don't know Java)

So, if you can help me in any way (advice, similar example or 
something), please do. This is very important to me. I forget, 
everything must be secure (SSL or something).

Thank you

Tom