Final answer:
WADL is an XML-based description used with REST web services. It is considered easier to use than WSDL but lacks flexibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The XML-based description that provides an alternative to WSDL and is generally considered easier to use but lacks the flexibility associated with WSDL is called WADL (Web Application Description Language).
WADL describes HTTP-based web services running on a web application server and is typically used with REST (Representational State Transfer) web services.
While WSDL is more flexible and can be used with different types of web services, WADL provides a simpler and more straightforward way to describe RESTful web services using XML.