A web reference is an added edition to a .NET website project. It allows the programmer to make calls to web services either on the local network or over the Internet. A web service is an XML application that interfaces with an external program and the internal database or web server. It provides functions and properties for a process. For instance, a web service can be used to allow external applications to insert and retrieve customer data.
- Open Visual Studio and open the project that needs the web reference connection. On the right side of the screen is the “Solution Explorer” window. Right-click the “Project” folder and select “Add Web Reference.”
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Click the link on the left side of the window to search for services on the local machine or the network. A list of web services will list after a few seconds.
- Click a service listed to select it, or you can type in your own address into the text box. A typical web service file has the .asmx file extension. Click the “Next” button.
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Verify the web service address and type a name into the text box. The default is given by the the .NET application, but you can give it a friendly name. This name is used when programming your application to connect to the web service.
- Click the “OK” button. The web reference will propagate into the .NET project. You will see a new folder in the Solution Explorer named “Web References.” Within this folder, you’ll see your newly added reference.
