When the WSDL is available, it is just two steps you need to follow to invoke that web service.
Step 1: Generate the client side source from a WSDL2Java
tool
Step 2: Invoke the operation using:
YourService service = new YourServiceLocator();
Stub stub = service.getYourStub();
stub.operation();
If you look further, you will notice that the Stub
class is used to invoke the service deployed at the remote location as a web service. When invoking that, your client actually generates the SOAP request and communicates. Similarly the web service sends the response as a SOAP. With the help of a tool like Wireshark, you can view the SOAP messages exchanged.
However since you have requested more explanation on the basics, I recommend you to refer here and write a web service with it's client to learn it further.