What is the difference between REST, SOAP, and gRPC?

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**REST** — HTTP-based, simple. **SOAP** — XML-based, formal. **gRPC** — binary, fast. **REST:** - HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE). - JSON or XML. - Stateless. - Simple, widely used. ``` REST: GET /api/users/1 POST /api/users {name: "John"} (JSON, HTTP verbs) ``` **SOAP:** - XML only. - WS-* standards. - Stateful options. - Enterprise, formal. ``` SOAP: 1 (XML, formal protocol) ``` **gRPC:** - Protocol Buffers (binary). - HTTP/2. - Fast, efficient. - Code generation. ``` gRPC: service UserService { rpc GetUser(GetUserRequest) returns (User); } (Binary, fast) ``` **Key differences:** - **REST** — simple, widely used. - **SOAP** — formal, enterprise. - **gRPC** — fast, binary.

Systems Analyst: What is the difference between REST, SOAP, and gRPC?