What differentiates REST from SOAP?

What differentiates REST from SOAP?

• A. REST is protocol-based, SOAP is not
• B. REST is stateless, SOAP is stateful
• C. SOAP uses JSON, REST uses XML
• D. There is no difference

Answer: (B)

The distinction that REST is stateless while SOAP is typically considered stateful is a key characteristic that differentiates the two web service protocols. In RESTful services, each request from a client contains all the necessary information for the server to fulfill that request. This means that the server doesn’t need to retain session information between requests. The stateless nature of REST enhances scalability because each request is independent, and servers can readily handle requests without needing to maintain a state between them. On the other hand, SOAP can maintain state across multiple operations because it often uses sessions or relies on protocols like WS-ReliableMessaging to ensure that messages are delivered in order. This characteristic can add a complexity layer to SOAP services, requiring additional setup and management to handle the state across client-server interactions. Understanding the stateless nature of REST helps developers make informed decisions about which protocol to use based on application needs, particularly where performance and scalability are essential factors. This fundamental difference in handling state is crucial in determining the overall architecture and design principles of web services.

The distinction that REST is stateless while SOAP is typically considered stateful is a key characteristic that differentiates the two web service protocols. In RESTful services, each request from a client contains all the necessary information for the server to fulfill that request. This means that the server doesn’t need to retain session information between requests. The stateless nature of REST enhances scalability because each request is independent, and servers can readily handle requests without needing to maintain a state between them.

On the other hand, SOAP can maintain state across multiple operations because it often uses sessions or relies on protocols like WS-ReliableMessaging to ensure that messages are delivered in order. This characteristic can add a complexity layer to SOAP services, requiring additional setup and management to handle the state across client-server interactions.

Understanding the stateless nature of REST helps developers make informed decisions about which protocol to use based on application needs, particularly where performance and scalability are essential factors. This fundamental difference in handling state is crucial in determining the overall architecture and design principles of web services.