YouTip

# SOAP Introduction * * * SOAP is a simple XML-based protocol that allows applications to exchange information over HTTP. Or more simply: SOAP is a protocol for accessing web services. * * * ## Prerequisites Before proceeding, you should have a basic understanding of the following topics: * XML * XML Namespaces If you wish to learn these topics first, please visit our (#). * * * ## What is SOAP? * SOAP stands for _Simple Object Access Protocol_ * SOAP is a _communication protocol_ * SOAP is used for communication _between applications_ * SOAP is a format for _exchanging messages_ * SOAP is designed to communicate _over the Internet_ * SOAP is _platform independent_ * SOAP is _language independent_ * SOAP is _based on XML_ * SOAP is _simple and extensible_ * SOAP allows you to _bypass firewalls_ * SOAP will be developed as a _W3C standard_ * * * ## Why Use SOAP? For application development, enabling internet communication between programs is crucial. Current applications communicate between objects such as DCOM and CORBA using Remote Procedure Calls (RPC), but HTTP was not designed for this purpose. RPC can cause compatibility and security issues; firewalls and proxy servers often block such traffic. Communicating between applications via HTTP is a better approach, since HTTP is supported by all internet browsers and servers. SOAP was created specifically for this purpose. SOAP provides a standardized method enabling applications running on different operating systems and using different technologies and programming languages to communicate with each other. * * * ## Microsoft and SOAP SOAP is a key element of Microsoft's .NET architecture for future internet application development. * * * ## SOAP 1.1 Submitted to W3C In May 2000, UserLand, Ariba, Commerce One, Compaq, Developmentor, HP, IBM, IONA, Lotus, Microsoft, and SAP submitted the SOAP Internet protocol to the W3C. These companies anticipated that this protocol would revolutionize application development by connecting graphical user interface desktop applications to powerful internet servers using internet standards (HTTP and XML). * * * ## W3C Developing SOAP 1.2 The first public working draft of SOAP was released by the W3C in December 2001. To learn more about the W3C's SOAP activities, please visit our (#).