SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol)

SOAP, or Simple Object Access Protocol, is a protocol used for exchanging structured information in web services. It allows different systems to communicate over the internet using XML (a markup language) to format messages. SOAP defines a standard way for messages to be sent and received, ensuring that they can work together, regardless of the programming languages or platforms they use. While it can be complex, SOAP is designed to provide reliability and security for services, making it particularly useful in enterprise environments where data integrity and communication reliability are crucial.