Scribd
Upload
2 views

SOAP API_2025

SOAP API (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a messaging protocol that facilitates communication between applications over a network using XML-based messaging. It is characterized by strict protocols, high security, and support for both stateful and stateless operations, making it suitable for applications requiring reliability, such as banking. In contrast, REST APIs offer more flexibility and faster performance with support for multiple data formats like JSON, making them ideal for lightweight applications like social media.

Uploaded by

bhaskar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views

SOAP API_2025

SOAP API (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a messaging protocol that facilitates communication between applications over a network using XML-based messaging. It is characterized by strict protocols, high security, and support for both stateful and stateless operations, making it suitable for applications requiring reliability, such as banking. In contrast, REST APIs offer more flexibility and faster performance with support for multiple data formats like JSON, making them ideal for lightweight applications like social media.

Uploaded by

bhaskar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

SOAP API (Simple Object Access Protocol) – An Overview

1. What is SOAP API?

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a messaging protocol that allows applications to communicate
over a network. It is used for exchanging structured information in web services and relies on XML-
based messaging.

🔹 Key Characteristics:
✔ Uses XML for message formatting.
✔ Works over HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and more.
✔ Highly secure with built-in WS-Security standards.
✔ Supports stateful and stateless operations.

2. SOAP API vs. REST API

Feature SOAP API REST API

Protocol Strict protocol-based Flexible architectural style

Data Format XML only JSON, XML, HTML, etc.

Security WS-Security, built-in security OAuth, JWT, SSL-based security

Performance Slower due to XML overhead Faster due to lightweight JSON

Flexibility Strict, requires a WSDL file More flexible, easy to use

State Management Supports stateful & stateless operations Stateless by default

✔ Use SOAP when security, reliability, and strict standards are required (e.g., banking, financial
transactions).
✔ Use REST for fast, lightweight APIs (e.g., social media, e-commerce).

3. How SOAP API Works

🔹 SOAP Message Structure

A SOAP message consists of an Envelope, Header, Body, and Fault (Error Handling).

xml

CopyEdit

<soap:Envelope xmlns:soap="http://www.w3.org/2003/05/soap-envelope">

<soap:Header> <!-- Optional metadata --> </soap:Header>

<soap:Body>
<GetUserDetails>

<UserID>12345</UserID>

</GetUserDetails>

</soap:Body>

</soap:Envelope>

🔹 Web Services Description Language (WSDL)

 WSDL (Web Services Description Language) defines the structure of a SOAP API.

 It describes available functions, data types, request-response formats, and endpoints.

 Example WSDL URL: https://example.com/service?wsdl

4. HTTP Methods in SOAP API

SOAP APIs mainly use HTTP POST requests.

Example SOAP

You might also like