This activity enables you to specify an operation you want to invoke for the service (identified by its partner link). The operation can be one-way or request-response on a port provided by the service. You can also automatically create variables in an invoke activity. An invoke activity invokes a synchronous web service or initiates an asynchronous web service.

The invoke activity opens a port in the process to send and receive data. It uses this port to submit required data and receive a response. For synchronous callbacks, only one port is needed for both the send and receive functions.

Figure A-22 shows the Invoke dialog in BPEL 2.0. You can perform the following tasks:

• Provide the activity with a meaningful name.

• Select the partner link for which to specify an operation.

• Select the operation to perform.

• Automatically create a variable or select an existing variable in which to transport the data (payload).

For more information about the invoke activity, see the following:

• Introduction to Interaction Patterns in a BPEL Process

• Mapping WSDL Message Parts in BPEL 2.0

• Invoke Activity for Performing a Request

• Adding an Invoke Activity

• How to Return a Fault in an Asynchronous Interaction

• Throwing Faults with Assertion Conditions