HTTP Services vs SOAP Services In .NET

For many years, integrating applications and systems has been a common use of web services. The two main methods for developing web services in the .NET environment are HTTP Services and SOAP Services. The same function of these two technologies is to make functionality available online for use by other applications. Before deciding which strategy to adopt, developers must be aware of a few significant distinctions between the two.

We’ll examine the distinctions between HTTP Services and SOAP Services in .NET and offer some code samples to assist clarify them in this blog article.

HTTP Services

A quick and easy approach to develop web services in .NET is to use HTTP Services, sometimes referred to as RESTful services. These services utilize JSON or XML to communicate data and are based on the HTTP protocol. Because HTTP Services are straightforward and simple to use, they are a preferred option for developers that need to build and deploy web services rapidly.

An illustration of how to construct an HTTP Service in .NET is provided here:

[Route("api/[controller]")]
[ApiController]
public class MyController : ControllerBase
{
    [HttpGet]
    public ActionResult<string> Get()
    {
        return "Hello, World!";
    }
}

In this example, we’re building a straightforward HTTP service that responds to an HTTP GET request with the text “Hello, World!” The [HttpGet] parameter indicates the HTTP verb that should be used to reach the endpoint, whereas the [Route] attribute specifies the service endpoint.

Being platform-independent is one of HTTP Services’ key benefits. This implies that they may be used by any program that can send an HTTP request, independent of the platform or programming language that the program is written in.

SOAP Services

On the other hand, SOAP Services are based on the SOAP protocol, an XML-based messaging system used for data exchange over the internet. When more sophisticated capabilities, such security, transactions, and stability are required in business contexts, SOAP Services, which are heavier than HTTP Services, are frequently utilized.

An illustration of how to build a SOAP service in .NET is provided here:

[WebService(Namespace = "https://nilebits.com/")]
[WebServiceBinding(ConformsTo = WsiProfiles.BasicProfile1_1)]
public class MyService : System.Web.Services.WebService
{
    [WebMethod]
    public string HelloWorld()
    {
        return "Hello, World!";
    }
}

Let’s look at an example where we create a simple SOAP Service that returns a string “Hello, World!” when accessed via a SOAP request. To specify the namespace for the service, we use the [WebService] attribute, and the [WebMethod] attribute specifies the method that should be called when the service is accessed.

One of the main benefits of SOAP Services is that they provide a standard way to exchange data between different applications, which simplifies the task of building and maintaining applications that require integration with other systems.

Performance is an important consideration when choosing between HTTP Services and SOAP Services. HTTP Services are generally faster and more efficient because they have a smaller payload size and less overhead. This is particularly relevant for applications that handle numerous requests or have limited bandwidth.

Ease of use is another aspect to consider. HTTP Services are simpler to work with than SOAP Services as they have a straightforward architecture and require less configuration. Also, monitoring and debugging are easier because HTTP Services use standard HTTP protocols that can be monitored using tools like Fiddler or Wireshark.

However, SOAP Services can be more challenging to work with as they have a more complex architecture and require more configuration. Additionally, testing and debugging the services require specialized tools like SOAPUI.

Lastly, it’s important to note that SOAP Services are a legacy technology, while HTTP Services are the modern approach to building web services. Although SOAP Services are still prevalent in enterprise environments, many organizations are transitioning to HTTP Services because of their simplicity and flexibility.

Conclusion

The decision between HTTP Services and SOAP Services mostly depends on the requirements of the application or system being designed. Both HTTP Services and SOAP Services have strengths and limitations. HTTP Services are a fantastic option if you require a simple approach to provide functionality over the internet. However, SOAP Services can be a better choice if you want more sophisticated capabilities, such as security, transactions, and stability.

We’ve included some code samples in this blog article to assist clarify the distinctions between HTTP Services and SOAP Services in.NET. This should enable you to decide which strategy to employ in your own applications with more knowledge.