SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) Web Services are a protocol for exchanging structured information in distributed environments. It uses XML to define the format of messages, ensuring platform-independent communication. SOAP operates over standard protocols like HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, or TCP, making it flexible for various network environments.
Key Features:
- WS-Security: Ensures secure communication with authentication and encryption.
- WSDL (Web Services Description Language): Describes the SOAP web service’s functionality.
- Stateful or Stateless: Can maintain a session or function independently of it.
SOAP is commonly used in enterprise-level applications requiring robust security and formal standards. It supports a range of operations like create, read, update, and delete (CRUD).
