Simple Object Access Protocol

Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) is a protocol used for exchanging structured information in web services. It uses XML (a markup language) to format messages, allowing different systems to communicate over the internet, regardless of their underlying technologies. SOAP is designed to be platform- and language-independent, making it ideal for integrating diverse applications. It typically operates over standard protocols like HTTP or SMTP and includes features for security and reliability, making it suitable for enterprise-level applications where complex transactions and data integrity are crucial.