How to Create SOAP Web Service Using WSDL in ASP.NET Core (.NET 8)

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of implementing a SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) service using WSDL (Web Services Description Language) in Visual Studio .NET Core(.NET 8).

SOAP is a widely used protocol for exchanging structured information in web services, and WSDL serves as a standard for describing the web service interface.

Despite the rise of REST, over 70% of enterprise-level banking systems still rely on SOAP for secure, reliable web services, showcasing its key role in sectors like finance and healthcare, with giants like Salesforce extensively using SOAP APIs.

“NetSuite, a leading cloud ERP from Oracle, still offers SOAP APIs, which are capable of performing batch transactions via API, whereas such a feature is not available with its REST API.”

“ClearBooks, a top accounting software provider, exclusively offers a SOAP API, stressing the protocol’s importance in secure and complex financial data transactions.”

Let’s deep dive into how to consume or implement any SOAP-based API in ASP.NET Core (.NET 8).

Creating a SOAP web service WSDL in Visual Studio ASP.NET Core (.NET 8)

1. Launch Visual Studio 2026 on your machine.

   To use the code examples provided in this article, you should have Visual Studio 2022 installed on your system. If you don’t already have a copy, you can download Visual Studio 2026 here.

2. Create a New Project.

   Navigate to “File” > “New” > “Project…”
   Choose the appropriate project template, such as “ASP.NET Core WebAPI.”

3. Set up the Project in ASP.NET Core Web API and configure project settings, including the project name and location.

4. Install the SoapCore package.

   After creating your Web API project in Visual Studio, incorporate the SoapCore NuGet package into it. Follow these steps:

   • Navigate to the Solution Explorer window,
   • Choose the project,
   • right-click, and opt for “Manage NuGet Packages.”

   In the NuGet Package Manager window, locate the SoapCore package , then install it.

   You also have the option to install the SoapCore package using the NuGet Package Manager console. Simply input the following command line to initiate the installation process.

5. Define the Data Contract.

   In the data contract, we define the characteristics of each SoapService data type, such as their types, names, and any rules or restrictions.

   This ensures that clients and services, built with different programming languages or platforms, can communicate effectively.

6. Define the Service Contract

   A service contract has two parts: the service interface, which describes the service, and additional details such as message formats and security, all defined using the ServiceContract attribute in C#. This attribute marks an interface or class as a service contract.

7. Create a service and add a method to the service with customer data.

8. Register a SOAP service in the Program.cs (.NET 8 Format)

9. Configure the HTTP request pipeline for the SOAP endpoint in Program.cs

10. Complete the source code of the Program.cs

11. Run the SOAP service.

    Launch the application and visit the specified endpoint to view the generated WSDL.

Consume WSDL in .NET 8

Create a .NET Core (.NET 8) WEB API project, same as shown in the above step.

Create client applications to consume the SOAP service. Visual Studio can help generate client code from the WSDL.

1. Generate reference code from a WSDL file. Right click on “Manage Connected Services”

   

2. Click on “Add a service reference.”

   

3. Select “WCF Web Service “

   

4. Insert the WSDL URI

   Click “Go,” and you’ll receive a list of services, methods, and a Namespace. Use this Namespace to reference methods in the project.

   

5. Clicking “Next” allows configuration,

   such as specifying the type of collections to generate. In this example, we’ll choose System.Collections.Generic.List.

   

6. In the final configuration screen,

   Choose between public/private classes and opt for synchronous or default asynchronous method generation.

   

7. Click “Finish” to initiate scaffolding, and your classes will be generated.

   

8. Once the process is complete,

   Find the connected service in the Solution Explorer, containing the generated reference with configured endpoints and methods.

   Choosing a synchronous method generates various available methods.

   

9. Create a new controller.

   To illustrate how to utilize the recently established connected service using the SOAP Client.

   To communicate with the connected service, create a client by referencing the Customer Reference. Indicate the endpoint to be used in the client.

   

10. Execute the project and perform testing in Swagger.

    

Conclusion

Implementing a SOAP service using WSDL in Visual Studio is straightforward and provides a firm foundation for building interoperable, standardized web services.

By using these steps, you can create a SOAP service, define its contract, and seamlessly integrate it into your applications.

Remember to adapt the instructions based on your specific project requirements and the version of Visual Studio you are using.

Stay with us for more tips and tricks about the ASP.NET Core (.NET 8)Development concept.

I hope you will like my blog to help provide a firm foundation for building interoperable and standardized web services.

You can share this blog via a social button to help other ASP.NET Developers. As we are at Satva Solutions, we provide API integration services for any ASP.NET MVC/Core application.

Happy coding!

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