REST VS SOAP

What is SOAP?

SOAP stands for “ Simple Object Access Protocol). SOAP is used, in order to exchange information among computers through XML. Simply SOAP is a XML based messaging protocol application. Some of the functions of SOAP are:

• it can extend HTTP for XML messaging

• it can provide data transport for the web services

• SOAP can be used as a broadcaster for messaging

SOAP was created by Microsoft to replace older internet-incompatible technologies such as the Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) and Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA). Since they rely on binary messaging, these technologies fail. SOAP’s XML messaging functions best over the Internet.

The argument is that SOAP is extremely extensible, but you only use the parts that you need for a specific mission. When using a public web service that is open to anyone, for example, you don’t really need WS-Security.

What is REST?

REST stands for “Representational State Transfer”. REST is an architectural style for establishing standards between web-based computer systems, making it easier for them to communicate. RESTful structures are distinguished by their statelessness and separation of client and server issues. Unlike SOAP, REST does not include XML as a response format. REST-based web services with data output in Command Separated Value (CSV), JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), and Very Simple Syndication (RSS) can be found (RSS). The point is that you can get the output you need in a format that’s simple to parse inside the programming language you’re using.

Difference between REST and SOAP

SOAP

• SOAP stands for Simple Object Access Protocol

• SOAP was developed with a set of guidelines in mind. It includes a WSDL file that contains the required details about what the web service does as well as the web service’s location.

• Since SOAP is a protocol and REST is an architectural pattern, SOAP cannot use REST.

• SOAP uses services interfaces to expose the business logic.

• SOAP defines its own security.

REST

• REST is an architectural style.

• REST can use SOAP web services because it is a concept and can use any protocol like HTTP, SOAP.

• REST requires less bandwidth and resource than SOAP.

• REST permits different data format such as Plain text, HTML, XML, JSON etc.

• REST more preferred than SOAP.