Have you worked with REST API? Do you know what it is and how it differs from SOAP?

REST API (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style for creating web services that uses standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to interact with resources represented as URLs. REST focuses on simplicity, scalability, and the use of standard protocols.

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a messaging protocol that uses XML for message formatting and typically operates over HTTP, SMTP, and other protocols. SOAP is more formal and standardized, supporting advanced features such as security, transactions, and reliable delivery.

Main differences:

• Message format: REST usually uses JSON or XML, SOAP uses only XML.
• Protocol: REST uses HTTP directly, SOAP is a wrapper over protocols with its own message format.
• Complexity: REST is simpler and easier to implement, SOAP is more complex and heavyweight.
• Standards: SOAP has strict standards for security, transactions, etc., REST is more flexible.

Example of using REST API:

GET /api/users/123 HTTP/1.1
Host: example.com

Response:
{
  "id": 123,
  "name": "Ivan"
}

REST API is widely used due to its simplicity and ease of integration.