SOAP Protocol Definition
SOAP protocol, or Simple Object Access Protocol, is a messaging system that uses XML to trade structured information in a decentralized and distributed environment. It is versatile, easy to use and implement, and can easily communicate with various applications. SOAP is a popular web service choice but can also be used for enterprise integration. SOAP is a secure and reliable protocol.
How the SOAP Protocol Works
SOAP protocol messages are made up of three configurations:
- Envelope: Defines the overall structure of the message and how it should be processed.
- Header: Authentication data or transaction IDs make up the header.
- Body: The actual data that is being exchanged is in the body.
Although SOAP messages can be transported over a wide range of protocols, HTTP is the most commonly used with SOAP messages, making them more accessible.
Benefits of Using the SOAP Protocol
Some of the advantages of using SOAP include:
- Lightweight and easy to implement
- Platform and language-independent
- Based on the widely accepted XML
- Used over a variety of transports, including the commonly used HTTP