Re: Web service question...

The way I've always described it...

1) In REST, the URI describes a "thing" to be acted upon. (Ex: An invoice, PO, zip code, whatever)

2) In REST, the HTTP method is the "verb" telling it what to do. (Retrieve, Update, Delete, Insert, etc)

3) In SOAP, the URI describes an 'endpoint' which generally refers to some piece of software rather than a thing to act upon. A second URI, called Soap Action describes what that software should do. A set of input parameters defined in an XML message describe what data to act upon.

4) In both cases, an XML message is returned, either as the output of the web service, or describing the effect of calling the web service.


On 7/20/2011 4:51 AM, Larry Ducie wrote:

REST is a concept - it is the idea that the client has a picture (or
representation) of a "thing" in a certain well defined and valid
"state". The "thing" exists on the remote server. Changes to the
state of the "thing" from one valid state to another valid state is
performed via a call to a web service. A RESTful architecture will
provide a set of services that allow the client to describe the
current state (customer details, order details, invoice details) and
to also change the current state (start order, add item, pay bill).