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SOAP vs. REST: Key Differences Explained

SOAP is a more rigid messaging standard than REST, relying on XML and various extensions for features like security and reliability. While SOAP is highly standardized and extensible, using it can be complex, especially when building requests manually in some languages. REST provides a lighter-weight alternative, using simple URLs and standard HTTP methods instead of XML messaging. The best approach depends on factors like the targeted web service and programming language. [/SUMMARY]

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41 views5 pages

SOAP vs. REST: Key Differences Explained

SOAP is a more rigid messaging standard than REST, relying on XML and various extensions for features like security and reliability. While SOAP is highly standardized and extensible, using it can be complex, especially when building requests manually in some languages. REST provides a lighter-weight alternative, using simple URLs and standard HTTP methods instead of XML messaging. The best approach depends on factors like the targeted web service and programming language. [/SUMMARY]

Uploaded by

Mohan Krishna
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

While SOAP and REST share similarities over the HTTP protocol, SOAP is

a more rigid set of messaging patterns than REST. The rules in SOAP are

important because we can’t achieve any level of standardization

without them. REST as an architecture style does not require processing

and is naturally more flexible. Both SOAP and REST rely on well-

established rules that everyone has agreed to abide by in the interest

of exchanging information.

A Quick Overview of SOAP

SOAP relies exclusively on XML to provide messaging services.

Microsoft originally developed SOAP to take the place of older

technologies that don’t work well on the internet such as the

Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) and Common Object

Request Broker Architecture (CORBA). These technologies fail because

they rely on binary messaging. The XML messaging that SOAP employs

works better over the internet.

After an initial release, Microsoft submitted SOAP to the Internet

Engineering Task Force (IETF) where it was standardized. SOAP is

designed to support expansion, so it has all sorts of other acronyms

and abbreviations associated with it, such as WS-Addressing, WS-Policy,

WS-Security, WS-Federation, WS-ReliableMessaging, WS-Coordination,

WS-AtomicTransaction, and WS-RemotePortlets. In fact, you can find a

whole laundry list of these standards on Web Services Standards.


The point is that SOAP is highly extensible, but you only use the pieces

you need for a particular task. For example, when using a public web

service that’s freely available to everyone, you really don’t have much

need for WS-Security.

Difficulty Depends on Programming Language

The XML used to make requests and receive responses in SOAP can

become extremely complex. In some programming languages, you

need to build those requests manually, which becomes problematic

because SOAP is intolerant of errors. However, other languages can use

shortcuts that SOAP provides. They can help you reduce the effort

required to create the request and to parse the response. In fact, when

working with .NET languages, you never even see the XML.

Part of the magic is the Web Services Description Language (WSDL).

This is another file that’s associated with SOAP. It provides a definition

of how the web service works, so that when you create a reference to it,

the IDE can completely automate the process. So, the difficulty of using

SOAP depends to a large degree on the language you use.

Built-In Error Handling

One of the most important SOAP features is built-in error handling. If

there’s a problem with your request, the response contains error

information that you can use to fix the problem. Given that you might
not own the Web service, this particular feature is extremely important;

otherwise you would be left guessing as to why things didn’t work. The

error reporting even provides standardized codes so that it’s possible

to automate some error handling tasks in your code.

An interesting SOAP feature is that you don’t necessarily have to use it

with the HTTP transport. There’s an actual specification for using SOAP

over Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and there isn’t any reason

you can’t use it over other transports. In fact, developers in some

languages, such as Python and PHP, are doing just that.

A Quick Overview of REST

REST provides a lighter-weight alternative. Many developers found

SOAP cumbersome and hard to use. For example, working with SOAP in

JavaScript means writing a ton of code to perform simple tasks because

you must create the required XML structure every time.

Instead of using XML to make a request, REST (usually) relies on a

simple URL. In some situations you must provide additional

information, but most web services using REST rely exclusively on using

the URL approach. REST can use four different HTTP 1.1 verbs (GET,

POST, PUT, and DELETE) to perform tasks.

Unlike SOAP, REST doesn’t have to use XML to provide the response.

You can find REST-based web services that output the data in

Command Separated Value (CSV), JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) and


Really Simple Syndication (RSS). The point is you can obtain the output

you need, in a form that’s easy to parse within the language you’re

using for your application.

Deciding Between SOAP and REST

Unless you plan to create your own web service, the decision of which

protocol to use may already be made for you. Extremely few web

services, such as Amazon, support both. The focus of your decision

often centers on which web service best meets your needs, rather than

which protocol to use.

Soap Advantages

SOAP provides the following advantages when compared to REST:

•    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


REST Advantages

REST is easier to use for the most part and is more flexible. It has the

following advantages over SOAP:

•    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

Common questions

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SOAP's extensibility through WS* standards allows it to support a wide range of functions and complex operations, which makes it highly adaptable to the needs of large, complex applications. In contrast, REST offers more flexibility and ease of implementation with lighter-weight, less complex interactions. This affects web service implementation by positioning SOAP as ideal for more intricate, enterprise-level applications, while REST is better suited for simpler, scalable applications needing fast deployment .

When choosing a suitable protocol, a developer must evaluate factors such as the simplicity of integration, need for extensibility, scalability, performance requirements, and compatibility with existing infrastructure. SOAP is preferred for extensibility, standardized error handling, and platform independence, making it ideal for complex, enterprise environments. REST is chosen for its simplicity, speed, and ease of use in scenarios that require minimal setup and interaction with modern web technologies .

SOAP's exclusive use of XML for messaging results in more complex and verbose communication, which can be cumbersome and lead to higher processing overhead. In contrast, REST's ability to use various formats like JSON or CSV allows for simpler, more efficient message parsing and is easier to integrate within different programming environments. This makes REST more adaptable to varied development needs and faster in terms of performance .

SOAP is independent of the HTTP protocol as it can be used over various transport protocols like SMTP, unlike REST which relies exclusively on HTTP. This means SOAP can be flexibly used in environments where HTTP isn't ideal, allowing for more diverse enterprise integrations . REST's reliance on HTTP makes it simpler and more aligned with web technologies, but it limits integration to environments where HTTP is appropriate .

WSDL plays a crucial role in SOAP's integration with programming languages like .NET by providing a standardized description of the web service, which allows the IDE to automate the process of request and response handling. This simplification enhances the development process by reducing the need for developers to manually create and parse XML, leading to fewer errors and more efficient coding .

SOAP provides built-in error handling that includes standardized error codes, making it possible for developers to automate error handling tasks in their code. This is particularly significant for developers as it allows them to diagnose issues even in third-party web services, thus reducing guesswork and enhancing reliability .

SOAP is advantageous in distributed enterprise environments because it is language, platform, and transport independent, allowing for seamless integration across different systems. It also supports complex operations through standardized and extensible features using WS* standards, and has built-in error handling which aids in robust service integration .

A developer might prioritize using SOAP over REST in scenarios requiring high reliability, standardized messaging, and platform independence such as in financial services or other enterprise applications that need to comply with security and transactional standards. SOAP's support for WS* standards ensures robust functionality in such controlled environments .

The complexity of XML in SOAP requests and responses can vary significantly across programming languages. In some languages, like .NET, developers are shielded from XML complexity through tools like WSDL that automate request creation and response parsing. However, in languages like JavaScript, creating the required XML manually is complex, making SOAP less attractive due to the additional effort and error-proneness .

Developers might prefer REST over SOAP because REST is generally easier to use, requiring no expensive tools, and has a smaller learning curve. REST uses simpler message formats like JSON, which are more efficient and closer to web technologies, unlike SOAP which uses complex XML and requires extensive processing .

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