Ask the Expert

What is REST vs. SOAP?

Anne Thomas Manes

I've heard that comparing REST vs. SOAP is like comparing Apples to Oranges, do you agree/disagree and why?

Requires Free Membership to View

Login

By submitting you agree to receive email communications from
TechTarget and its partners. Privacy Policy Terms of Use.

Comparing REST to SOAP is like comparing cars to tires. REST is an architectural style. SOAP is a messaging protocol. REST applications can use SOAP. The W3C SOAP 1.2 Recommendation was specifically designed to support RESTful applications.

More News and Tutorials

Articles

Related glossary terms

Terms for Whatis.com - the technology online dictionary
- REST (representational state transfer)
- BEST (Business / Enterprise State Transfer)

This was first published in April 2005

Join the conversationComment

Share

Comments

Results

Contribute to the conversation

All fields are required. Comments will appear at the bottom of the article.

Back to top

More from Related TechTarget Sites

Cloud computing
Java
Business Analytics
Oracle

Cloud computing
- PaaS market heats up with Red Hat OpenShift, Savvis AppFog buy
  
  PaaS made headlines last week, but it's still difficult to gauge the true level of interest in Platform as a Service in the enterprise world.
- IBM, Salesforce deals usher in cloud consolidation era
  
  IBM's SoftLayer buy is getting mixed reviews from IT pros, but everyone agrees that it's an example of the consolidation phase of the cloud bubble.
- U.S. defense agencies' cloud transition yields better intelligence
  
  A cloud migration seems daunting but the effort is worthwhile; U.S. defense agencies say their cloud move led to better military intelligence.
Java
- CamelOne 2013: Lockheed engineers explain Java and C++ messaging
  
  At CamelOne 2013, software engineers from Lockheed Martin explain how they use Camel with C++ for a flight scheduling app.
- Will the Red Hat model work for IaaS cloud computing with OpenStack?
  
  The Red Hat transition is to move their successful model to IaaS through OpenStack and cloud computing. But will this new move from the JBoss company work as well as RHEL did a decade ago?
- How Red Hat's Linux and OpenStack IaaS drives Intel's bottom line
  
  While a major protectorate of intellectual property, Red Hat Linux and OpenStack IaaS offerings provide the bonus of driving innovation, which leads to more chips being purchased, driving revenue at Intel's bottom line.
Business Analytics
- No more shortcuts: Sound data quality strategy a must for BI success
  
  In the past, companies might have gotten away with not building data quality efforts into business intelligence programs. That's less likely now.
- Member Exclusive Downloads
  
  Member Exclusive Downloads from SearchBusinessAnalytics
- In-memory applications take on big data analytics challenge
  
  In-memory tools and big data can be a potent analytics mix. But before you put them together, read advice from experienced users and consultants.
Oracle
- The future of Dell Toad: Oracle DBAs can use BI, Exadata features
  
  Dell Toad is pushing itself into business intelligence and now has an edition to support Oracle's big Exadata appliance.
- Unlock the potential of the Oracle Exadata architecture
  
  Despite being almost five years old now, many implementations haven't realized all of the Oracle Exadata architecture benefits.
- The state of Dell Toad: Oracle DBAs and how they can still benefit
  
  Since Dell acquired Quest Software, maker of the Toad tool for Oracle databases and applications, some questions have arisen about what would happen.

All Rights Reserved,Copyright 2001 - 2013, TechTarget