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Jun 28, 2023 · Learn what a SOAP API is, how it works, and when to use it. Compare SOAP with REST APIs and see an example of a SOAP API for ISBN validation.
- Soap vs Rest Security
- Soap vs Rest Examples
- When to Use Soap
- When to Use Rest
Now that we have a better understanding of what SOAP and REST APIs do, let’s compare their security measures and protocols.
Let’s compare some examples of requests and responses to and from a SOAP API and a REST API. The examples below are based on the QAComplete SOAP API and REST API, respectively. QAComplete is a comprehensive software test management tool by SmartBear.
Developing private APIs, especially for large enterprises.
SOAP allows data to be transferred in a decentralized, distributed environment. It also has lots of web security mechanisms. These qualities make it ideal for enterprise solutions.
Working with stateful operations.
Unlike calls to REST APIs, calls to SOAP APIs are stateful. This means the server stores information about the client and uses that information over a series of requests or chain of operations. While this requires more server resources and bandwidth, it’s important if performing repetitive or chained tasks, like bank transfers.
Using an underlying transport protocol other than HTTP.
SOAP is independent of an underlying transport protocol, so you don’t have to use HTTP. Instead, you could use SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), JMS (Java Messaging Service), or another transport protocol, depending on your application.
Developing public APIs.
Many consider REST APIs easier to use and adopt than SOAP APIs. which makes them ideal for creating public web services. REST also lacks some built-in security features that SOAP has — but they aren’t necessary when working with public data and services.
Working with limited server resources and bandwidth.
All calls to a REST API must be stateless. This means that every interaction is independent so each request and response provides all the information required to complete that interaction. Since the server interprets every request as brand new, the server does not store information on past requests. This greatly reduces the amount of server memory needed. It improves performance since the server is not required to take additional action or retrieve past data when fulfilling a request. Because...
Building mobile applications.
Because REST is lightweight, efficient, stateless, and cacheable, it’s ideal for building mobile applications.
- Anna Fitzgerald
Learn what SOAP is, how to call it, and how to describe it with Stoplight. SOAP is a messaging standard for Web Services based on XML and RPC.
Learn the basics of SOAP, an XML-based protocol for web service communication. See how SOAP works with a weather service example and compare it with REST API.
Aug 20, 2019 · SOAP is a web protocol that uses XML data format and follows strict standards for data exchange. Learn how SOAP works, what are its advantages and disadvantages, and how it differs from REST.
May 4, 2023 · Learn the key differences between REST and SOAP, two popular approaches for API development and communication. Compare their features, benefits, and drawbacks for various use cases and scenarios.
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Jun 30, 2023 · Learn how to use Postman to make HTTP calls using Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), a platform-independent messaging protocol specification. Follow the steps to enter your SOAP endpoint, add body data, set request headers, and send your request.
