SOAP (Simple Object Application Protocol)
An XML-based scheme for allowing computers to talk to each other over a network such as the Internet, typically as part of a Web service.
First, the SOAP encoding schema describes how to encode data using a set of defined data types. If these data types are not sufficient, users can define their own data types.
Next, the SOAP envelope schema describes the overall format of SOAP messages. It also defines built-in ways of extending the message format to support custom applications. SOAP specifications developed by the W3C also define how to use HTTP to send and receive SOAP messages. Although SOAP messages can be sent over any protocol, HTTP is used in most applications.
In theory, SOAP can be used to pass almost any type of data between two applications. In practice, it is normally used to make Remote Procedure Calls (RPC). When used to encode RPCs, SOAP is a request/response protocol.
An application encodes an RPC request into a SOAP message and sends it to a remote system.
The request identifies the requested operation and contains its parameters. The remote system sends back the reply in another SOAP message that contains the operation result.
Because it is based on XML, SOAP is language- and platform-independent. The two applications could be written in different languages and could run on different operating systems.
From SOAP links disparate applications, Network World Tech Update, 12/17/01.
Additional resources
W3C SOAP specificationsoap.weblogs.com
SOAP research center
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