What is Web Services (REST/SOAP)?

Web services are standardized ways to expose application functionality over a network, typically using HTTP. REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style that uses standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to interact with resources, often using JSON or XML for data exchange. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a protocol that uses XML for message formatting and relies on other protocols like HTTP or SMTP for transmission. REST is generally simpler and more lightweight, while SOAP provides a more structured and feature-rich approach, often with built-in support for security and transactions. They are used to facilitate communication and data exchange between different applications, systems, and services, enabling integration and interoperability in distributed environments.