NullPointerException when trying to view WSDL from a web browser
 Technote (troubleshooting)
 
Problem(Abstract)
In WebSphere® Application Server V5.0 and V5.1, a NullPointerException may be thrown when trying to view the WSDL from an installed application that includes web services from a Web browser.
 
Cause
The WSDL can be viewed by adding ?wsdl to the web service HTTP end point URL; for example:
http://myhost.mycompany.com/MyApp/services/MyService?wsdl

This could result in the following exception:

java.lang.NullPointerException
at
com.ibm.ws.webservices.deploy.DeployUtils.getUpdatedWSDLFile(DeployUtils.java:348)
at
com.ibm.ws.webservices.engine.transport.http.WebServicesServlet.processWsdlRequest(WebServicesServlet.java:297)
at
com.ibm.ws.webservices.engine.transport.http.WebServicesServlet.doGet(WebServicesServlet.java:438)
at javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.service(HttpServlet.java:740) ...

There are two potential causes of the problem:

  • APAR PQ89329

  • The problem may be caused by a NullPointerException that is thrown when trying to access application metadata:
    java.lang.NullPointerException
    at com.ibm.ws.sm.workspace.impl.WorkSpaceImpl.getRootContextType(WorkSpaceImpl.java:216)
    at com.ibm.ws.sm.workspace.impl.WorkSpaceImpl.createRootContext(WorkSpaceImpl.java:134)
    at com.ibm.ws.sm.workspace.impl.WorkSpaceImpl.getRootContext(WorkSpaceImpl.java:210)
    ...



    This would be seen before the other NullPointerException in a web services engine trace. It is caused by a corrupted install_root/config/.repository directory.
 
Resolving the problem
To resolve the problem, install Cumulative Fix 7 (V5.0.2.7) or higher for WebSphere Application Server V5.0.2 or Cumulative Fix 1 (V5.1.1.1) or higher for WebSphere Application Server V5.1.1. The fix for PQ89329 is included in these cumulative fixes.

If the problem still occurs, copy the .repository directory from install_root/bin/wsinstance/configdefaults to install_root/config and then restart the Application Server. This will fix a corrupted .repository directory.

After making one or both of these changes, you should be able to view the WSDL from a Web browser successfully.

 
 
Cross Reference information
Segment Product Component Platform Version Edition
Application Servers Runtimes for Java Technology Java SDK
 
 


Document Information


Product categories: Software > Application Servers > Distributed Application & Web Servers > WebSphere Application Server > Web Services (for example: SOAP or UDDI or WSGW or WSIF)
Operating system(s): Windows
Software version: 5.1
Software edition:
Reference #: 1228255
IBM Group: Software Group
Modified date: Feb 6, 2006