SOAP vs REST in Web Services

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol):

SOAP is a protocol used for exchanging structured information in web services. It relies on XML for message format and can use different transport protocols. SOAP typically requires more bandwidth and has a standard set of rules for communication.

REST (Representational State Transfer):

REST is an architectural style for designing networked applications. It uses standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) for communication and is based on resources that can be accessed using URLs. REST is more lightweight compared to SOAP and is often favored for its simplicity and flexibility.

Differences between SOAP and REST:

1. Message Format: SOAP uses XML, while REST can use various formats like XML, JSON, or plain text.
2. Protocol: SOAP can use different transport protocols, while REST is typically based on HTTP.
3. Complexity: SOAP has more strict standards and can be more complex, while REST is simpler and more flexible.
4. Bandwidth: SOAP requires more bandwidth due to its XML format, while REST is more lightweight.