The Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) is a protocol specification for exchanging structured information in the implementation of web services in computer networks. It uses XML to encode messages, which are typically sent over HTTP, the widely used protocol for communication on the web.
SOAP allows different applications to communicate with each other, regardLESS of their programming languages or operating systems. It is platform-independent, meaning it can be used on any type of system, including Windows, Linux, and Mac.
SOAP was developed in the late 1990s as a way to enable different applications to communicate with each other over the web. It was originally designed to be an extension of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), but has since evolved into a standalone protocol.
SOAP is used for exchanging structured and typed information between distributed systems, such as between a client and a server. It provides a way for applications to send and receive information in a standardized format, allowing them to communicate with each other regardless of their underlying technology.
SOAP messages are typically transmitted over HTTP, but can also be sent over other protocols such as SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). The structure of a SOAP message consists of an envelope, which contains a header and a body. The header contains information about the message, such as the sender and receiver, while the body contains the actual data being exchanged.
SOAP is widely used in the development of web services, particularly in the field of web applications. It is also used in the development of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and other types of distributed systems.
In summary, SOAP is a protocol specification used for exchanging structured information in the implementation of web services. It is platform-independent and allows different applications to communicate with each other over the web, regardless of their programming languages or operating systems. SOAP messages are transmitted over HTTP or other protocols, and consist of an envelope containing a header and a body. SOAP is widely used in the development of web services and APIs.