Interview Question: Compare two web services type SOAP and RESTful (SOAP Vs RESTful)

Here are the differences between SOAP and Restful web services :

Criteria	SOAP	RESTful	Comments
Orientation	Wraps business logic	Accesses resources/data
Developer View	Object oriented	Resource Oriented
Language Independence	Yes	Yes
Platform Independence	Yes	Yes
Simplicity	No	Yes
Standards Based	Yes	No	SOAP web services are based on SOAP and WS-* specifications
Security	SSL, WS-Security	SSL	WS-Security provides end-to-end security covering message integrity and authentication
Transactions	WS-AtomicTransaction	No
Reliability	WS-ReliableMessaging	Application specific
Performance	Good	Better	Caching and lower message payload makes RESTful web services performance efficient and scalable
Caching	No	GET operations can be cached
Transport protocol support	HTTP, SMTP, JMS	HTTP	Multiple transport protocol support makes SOAP Web Services flexible
Message Size	Heavy, has SOAP and WS-* specific markup	Lightweight, no extra xml markup
Message Communication protocol	XML	XML, JSON, other valid MIME type	This flexibility of REST makes its extremely useful in providing consumer need specific message payloads
Message Encoding	Yes	No	SOAP Web Services support text and binary encoding, RESTful encoding is limited to text
Service Description	WSDL	No formal contract definition	In REST, no formal way to describe a service interface means more dependence on written documentation
Human intelligible Payload	No	Yes
Developer Tooling	Yes	Minimal or none	Complexity of SOAP Web Services dictates the need for using frameworks to facilitate rapid application development. REST on the other hand due to its simplicity can be developed without any framework

Now we come to most important stage of deciding which type to select. There is no one answer for selecting either SOAP based or RESTful Web Services. Neither is the right choice for every situation. The choice is dependant upon specific needs and which solution addresses them best. An architect should ask the following questions and the responses should assist him/her in making an informed decision:

• Does the service expose data or business logic? (REST can be a good choice for exposing data, SOAP/WS-* might be a better choice for logic)
• Does the service need the capabilities of WS-*, or is a simpler RESTful approach sufficient?
• What’s best for the developers who will build clients for the service?

Areas where RESTful WebServices are a great choice:

• Limited bandwidth and resources: Remember the return structure is really in any format (developer defined). Plus, any browser can be used because the REST approach uses the standard GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE verbs. Again, remember that REST can also use the XMLHttpRequest object that most modern browsers support today, which adds an extra bonus of AJAX.
• Totally stateless operations: If an operation needs to be continued, then REST is not the best approach and SOAP may fit it better. However, if you need stateless CRUD (Create, Read, Update, and Delete) operations, then REST is suitable.
• Caching situations: If the information can be cached because of the totally stateless operation of the REST approach, this is perfect.

Areas where SOAP based WebServices is a great solution:

• Asynchronous processing and invocation: If application needs a guaranteed level of reliability and security then SOAP 1.2 offers additional standards to ensure this type of operation. Things like WSRM – WS-Reliable Messaging etc.
• Formal contracts: If both sides (provider and consumer) have to agree on the exchange format then SOAP 1.2 gives the rigid specifications for this type of interaction.
• Stateful operations: If the application needs contextual information and conversational state management then SOAP 1.2 has the additional specification in the WS* structure to support those things (Security, Transactions, Coordination, etc). Comparatively, the REST approach would make the developers build this custom plumbing.

I have used a lot of information from resources generously shared by fellow bloggers. It would inconsiderate in case I do not mention them. The resources are:

1. REST and SOAP: When to use each (or both)?
2. SOAP vs REST: Complements or Competitors
3. Introduction to Web APIs: REST vs SOAP