WebService and API | Features

WebService and API provide you with the option of communicating with RFEM, RSTAB, and RSECTION using high-level functions. You can use it to create your web or desktop applications and optimize your workflow. There is also an RFEM 6 server that runs on your computer without a GUI, but only responds to your WebService requests.

WebService and API | Benefits

One thing is absolutely undisputed: WebService and API covers universal aspects in the construction industry. However, there is an issue. For the calculation and design, you need different features for each region, country, company, and civil engineer. Everyone has their own requirements. We have solved this problem. Since with WebService and API, you can easily create your very own calculation and design system. Always at your side: The performance and reliability of RFEM, RSTAB, and RSECTION.

The need for adapted and automated structural analysis and design is constantly increasing. WebService technology allows you to create special functionalities quickly and precisely. Our customers can develop such solutions independently or in cooperation with us. See for yourself and give it a try!

WebService and API | Application Areas

WebService and API provide you various scope of application. We have summarized some ideas as to how WebService and API can support your company:

  • Creating additional applications for RFEM 6, RSTAB 9, and RSECTION 1
  • Possibility to make the workflows more efficient (for example, model definition and input) and to integrate RFEM 6, RSTAB 9, and RSECTION 1 into your company applications
  • Simulating and calculating several design options
  • Running optimization algorithms for size, shape, and/or topology
  • Accessing the calculation results
  • Generation of printout reports in the PDF format

The level of quality of the work is automatically increased not only by the algorithmic model definitions, but also by:

  • Extending / consolidating RFEM 6, RSTAB 9, and RSECTION 1 with your own controls
  • Increased interoperability between the individual software used to complete a project

WebService and API | What is WebService and API?

Communication is the key to success. This also applies to a client-server relation. WebService and API provides you with an XML based information exchange system for direct client-server communication. Programs, objects, messages, or documents can be integrated into these systems. For example, a web service protocol of the HTTP type runs for the client-server communication when you are looking for something in the Internet using a search engine.

Now back to Dlubal Software. In our case, the client is your programming environment (.NET, Python, JavaScript) and the service provider is RFEM 6. Client-server communication allows you to send requests to and receive feedback from RFEM, RSTAB, or RSECTION.

What is the difference between WebService and an API?

  • WebService is a collection of open source protocols and standards used to exchange data between systems and applications. In contrast, an application programming interface (API), is a software interface through which two applications can interact without a user being involved.
  • Thus, all web services are APIs, but not all APIs are web services.

What are the advantages of the WebService technology?
You can communicate more quickly within and between organizations.A service can be independent of other services.Webservice allows you to use your application to make your message or feature available to the rest of the world.Webservice helps you to exchange data between different applications and platforms Several applications can communicate, exchange data, and share services with each other. SOAP ensures that programs created on different platforms and based on different programming languages can exchange data securely.

WebService and API | Languages Supported

In theory, a web service can be created with any programming language. However, we, the Dlubal team, have decided on another way. We have created high-level function libraries for our users. With these high-level function libraries, you can create powerful scripts by simple programming. These libraries include:

RFEM-Python High-Level Functions RSTAB-Python High-Level Functions RSECTION-Python High-Level Functions C# High-Level Functions

Why did we choose these programming languages? We decided on these programming languages for a specific reason, of course. Python, in particular, has the following features that we consider especially suitable:

  • Simple and easy to learn
  • Still very powerful
  • Many extensions and libraries available
  • Many resources available on the Internet
Fantastic and professional support

I would just like to send a quick note to wish everyone at Dlubal well, in particular I would like to say thank you for the fantastic, thorough and professional support you provide.

Powerful, Easy to Use, Easy to Learn...

We adopted Dlubal in our work and haven't looked back. Powerful, easy to use, easy to learn, with mercifully simple output (once set up).