Will Fitch’s Blog

I have developed a new version of the zip code web service. This new service offers much more functionality than the previous, including 100% document-literal WS-I/WSDL 1.1 compliancy and SOAP 1.1 and 1.2 capabilities.

Along with this, a Java, PHP, .NET and Ruby SDK will be developed so that you only have to worry about making class calls rather than interfacing with SOAP and the network. I will also be increasing the number of elements returned from 300 to 500.

This new service will require that you register your application (domain only, no login) so that I can get an idea of the usage of this service. Your data will not be shared/sold to anyone, I just want some statistics.

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The zip code web service will be under maintenance until April 3rd. I am completing a total overhaul on my blog, so please hang in there with me.

I have completed the major functionality to the SOAP integration of the zip code services. The following methods can be used to get the data you need:

1. getDistanceByZip - Get the distance from one zip code to another
2. getZipsByRadius - Get GPS information within (X) miles of a zip code
3. getLocalTime - Get the local time for a zip code

I am going to describe each function in depth, and give examples of each in a few languages.  If you have suggestions to this service, feel free to contact me using the contact form.

About the Service

This web service is provided absolutely free.  Please don’t abuse this.  If requests start getting out of hand and bringing my server to its knees, I will start limiting the number of queries per user per day.  I don’t want to do this, but I do like my server actually serving :).

It is an RPC style web service, as it really isn’t complicated and is limited to a very specific audience.  It’s also easier for developers to use and understand in comparison to document-literal.

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Update! Due to the demand for an easier interface, I have developed a SOAP service offering more functionality and requires less coding on your end. You may see the overview here: http://www.phpfever.com/soap-zip-code-web-service.html.

Ok….

So I’ve created this script based off of the GPS info. It allows you to specify a zip code and radius (in mileage), and it will return the following values in XML:

1. stateName
2. city
3. zipCode
4. latitude
5. longitude
6. distance (from the specified zip code)
7. timeZone

It is available via GET at the following URL:

http://www.phpfever.com/web-services/zip_radius.php

There are some GET variables you will have to specify, so read on with a tutorial using CURL.

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