REST vs SOAP

In here I am going to make a discussion on similarities, differences as well as overview of , REST API services and the SOAP API services.

What is REST API?

REST (Representational State Transfer) is another standard, made in response to SOAP’s shortcomings. It seeks to fix the problems with SOAP and provide a simpler method of accessing web services.

REST provides a lighter-weight alternative. Many developers found REST is easy to use. REST (usually) uses a simple URL to render a request rather than XML. While you may be required to provide additional information in some cases, most REST web services depend solely on the URL approach. REST will perform tasks with four separate HTTP 1.1 verbs (GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE).

The answer from REST does not have to be in XML. 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.

What is SOAP API?

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a standards-based web services access protocol that has been around for a long time. Originally developed by Microsoft, SOAP isn’t as simple as the acronym would suggest.

SOAP’s messaging services are entirely based on XML. 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 uses XML messaging, which functions best over the internet.

Microsoft submitted SOAP to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) for standardization after its initial publication. WS-Addressing, WS-Policy, WS-Security, WS-Federation, WS-ReliableMessaging, WS-Coordination, WS-AtomicTransaction, and WS-RemotePortlets are just a few of the acronyms and abbreviations associated with SOAP.

Similarities of REST and SOAP

Although SOAP and REST both use the HTTP protocol, SOAP has a stricter collection of messaging patterns than REST. The rules in SOAP are crucial because without them, we won’t be able to achieve any degree of standardization. REST is a more versatile architecture style since it does not require processing.Both SOAP and REST depend on well-defined rules that everyone has agreed to follow in the name of information exchange.

Advantages of REST

• No expensive tools require to interact with the web service
  • Smaller learning curve
  • Efficient (SOAP uses XML for all messages, REST can use smaller message formats)
  • Fast (no extensive processing required)
  • Closer to other web technologies in design philosophy

Avantages of SOAP

• Language, platform, and transport independent (REST requires use of HTTP)
• Works well in distributed enterprise environments (REST assumes direct point-to-point communication)
• Standardized
• Provides significant pre-build extensibility in the form of the WS* standards
• Built-in error handling
• Automation when used with certain language products