REST as a simpler variant of SOAP
Yes, that’s right. REST is the simpler variant of SOAP.
Many online services are available as a REST-based web service without even pursuing this goal. In order to be considered “REST-conforming”, it is already sufficient to offer unchanged content according to the Internet standard HTTP.
You can read more about SOAP in our last blog article: “Simplifier Connectors – how to create a SOAP connector?”
So what is REST at all?
REST (REpresentational State Transfer) is often used in mobile applications, social media sites and automated business processes.
Usually HTTP and HTTPS are used as application layer protocols. REST-conforming services offer various requests to display or modify information.
HTTP Request Methods
HTTP methods are used to inform the service which operation it should perform. The following four HTTP request methods are the important ones:
- GET: Enables data retrieval – it is used to request a file that is identified in the request URL.
- POST: Sends entries to a web server (client-to-server).
- PUT: Uploads a file to a web server, specifying the target URL.
- DELETE: Data on the HTTP server is deleted.
… but what exactly is a REST connector?
A REST connector is an interface to transfer data via HTTP without the need for an additional transport layer.
The benefit of the REST connector is that it can call up or offer REST-conforming web services via an URL. REST supports the most usual data formats such as JSON, XML, CSV and HTML.
How to use the REST connector in the Simplifier?
A REST connector is set up in the Simplifier quickly and easily. All we need is the target URL with the API and define the input and output parameters.
The following video shows you how to create the REST Connector and its Connector Calls, and how to integrate it into your application:
