SOAP

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a high-level communication protocol that defines an XML data flow between a server and a client.

The "StockQuote" service mentioned in the Introduction to Web services exchanges messages using the following syntax:

Request

<soap:Envelope xmlns:soap="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/">
   <soap:Body>
      <getQuote>
         <stockSymbol>MyCompany</stockSymbol>
      </getQuote>
   </soap:Body>
</soap:Envelope>

Response

<soap:Envelope xmlns:soap="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/">
   <soap:Body>
      <getQuoteResponse>
         <stockValue>999.99</stockValue>
      </getQuoteResponse>
   </soap:Body>
</soap:Envelope>

SOAP relies on a lower-level protocol for the transport layer.

Genero Web Services use SOAP over HTTP, and can also perform low-level XML and TEXT over HTTP communications on the client side. This allows communication between applications using the core Web technology, taking advantage of the large installed base of tools that can process XML delivered plainly over HTTP, as well as SOAP over HTTP.