APIs
api
enterprise
xml
What is SOAP?
Definition
SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a messaging protocol that uses XML for structured information exchange. It defines a strict envelope format, supports WS-Security, and typically uses HTTP or SMTP as the transport layer.
Why It Matters
SOAP is still widely used in enterprise systems, banking, and government APIs. While REST/JSON has replaced SOAP in most new projects, developers working with legacy systems, payment gateways, and enterprise integrations often encounter SOAP APIs.