What are the differences between SOAP and REST APIs?

What are the differences between SOAP and REST APIs?

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a protocol for exchanging structured information, while REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style that uses standard HTTP methods. SOAP is more rigid and requires XML, whereas REST is more flexible and can use various formats like JSON.

Which one is better for web services?

It depends on the use case. SOAP is better for enterprise-level services requiring high security and ACID compliance, while REST is preferred for web services that need to be lightweight and fast.

Can you give examples of when to use each?

Sure! Use SOAP for banking services or payment gateways where security is crucial. Use REST for social media APIs or public data services where speed and simplicity are key.

What about performance and scalability?

REST generally offers better performance and scalability due to its stateless nature and support for caching, while SOAP can be slower due to its extensive standards and protocols.