SOAP allows for application data transfer using HTTP and XML, making it platform independent and able to communicate between programs on different operating systems and languages. It uses an XML-based envelope with a mandatory header and body, where the body contains the actual message and can include a fault element. Example code shows how to use SOAP with APIs and languages like Python. Resources for learning more include w3schools.com and intertwingly.net.

1. Simple Object access protocol

2. What is SOAP?Allows for application data transfer using HTTPXML basedPlatform IndependentAllows you to get around firewalls

3. Why is it useful?Allows internet communication between programs.HTTP was not built for RPCCan communicate to applications on different Operating Systems, technologies, and programming languages

4. SyntaxMust Use XMLSOAP Envelope NamespaceSOAP Encoding NamespaceMust NotInclude DTD referenceXML processing instructions

5. Important elementsEnvelope<soap:Envelopexmlns:soap="http://www.w3.org/2001/12/soap-envelope"Headersoap:encodingStyle="http://www.w3.org/2001/12/soap-encoding">BodyContains the actual SOAP messageFaultMust appear as a child element of the bodyCan only appear once in a SOAP message

6. Example CodeUsing the Google API with Pythonhttp://www.intertwingly.net/stories/2002/12/20/sbe.htmlw3Schools Examplehttp://w3schools.com/soap/soap_example.asp

7. Resourcesw3Schools.comwww.intertwingly.net

8. Q&A