What are the key differences between SOAP and REST APIs

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Both SOAP and REST APIs are used for communication between systems over

the internet. They help systems share information, but they have

different approaches.

Differences between SOAP and REST APIs:

  1. Protocol and Standards:

SOAP: Employs a strict protocol (Simple Object Access Protocol) and relies

heavily on XML for message formatting. It has defined standards for

security and transactions.

REST: Uses a simpler approach based on standard web protocols like HTTP. It

commonly utilizes JSON or XML for data formatting but doesn’t

enforce strict standards.

  1. Message Format:

SOAP: Requires a predefined contract (WSDL - Web Service Description

Language) that outlines message structure, making it more rigid and

standardized.

REST: Emphasizes a more flexible message format. It commonly uses JSON

for data exchange, allowing more straightforward integration and

readability.

  1. State Management and Performance:

SOAP: Maintains a stateful communication model, often relying on

sessions and transactions, which can impact performance.

REST: Operates on a stateless model, making it more scalable and

efficient. Each request from the client to the server contains all the

necessary information, enhancing performance and scalability.

These differences highlight that while SOAP adheres to strict standards

and protocols, REST offers more flexibility and simplicity by leveraging

standard web protocols and data formats. Both have distinct strengths

suited for different use cases and system requirements.