About REST and SOAP
REST and SOAP are terms which are often used by engineers. But one must know that REST is architechtural style while SOAP is protocol.
REST vs SOAP
When to use REST & SOAP
REST Usage
- Limited resources and bandwidth
- Statelessness – Any Use-case which doesnot need to store the state. This means REST is not suitable for any online purchase site. Saving the state is very critical for any purchase site.
- Caching – Use-case where we need to cache a lot of requests , then REST is way to go. Use-case where it demands usage of similar requests.
- Ease of coding – Coding + Implementation REST Services is far easier than SOAP.
SOAP Usage
- Asynchronous processing and subsequent invocation – if there is a requirement that the client needs a guaranteed level of reliability and security
- Strict format – if both the client and server have an agreement on the exchange format then SOAP 1.2 gives the rigid specifications for this type of interaction.
- Stateful operations – Any Use-case which needs to store the state. This means SOAP is suitable for any online purchase site. Saving the state is very critical for any purchase site.