WebSphere Message Brokers
File: ac55770_
Writer: Michael Gibson

Concept topic

This build: July 31, 2007 21:21:13

What is SOAP?

SOAP is a protocol for the exchange of information in a distributed environment. SOAP messages are encoded as XML documents and can be exchanged using a variety of underlying protocols.

SOAP was formerly an acronym for Simple Object Access Protocol. SOAP is developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). SOAP is defined in the following documents issued by W3C. Consult the following documents for information about SOAP.

The SOAP specifications describe a distributed processing model in which a SOAP message is passed between SOAP nodes. The message originates at a SOAP sender and is sent to a SOAP receiver. Between the sender and the receiver, the message might be processed by one or more SOAP intermediaries.

A SOAP message is a one-way transmission between SOAP nodes, from a SOAP sender to a SOAP receiver, but messages can be combined to construct more complex interactions, such as request and response, and peer-to-peer conversations.

The specification also describes:

Related concepts
The structure of a SOAP message
SOAP nodes
SOAP 1.1 and 1.2
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This build: July 31, 2007 21:21:13

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