Which of the following is a characteristic of REST compared to SOAP?

• A. REST is more complex
• B. REST is stateful
• C. REST has less clear error messages
• D. REST is simpler

Answer: (D)

REST is considered simpler compared to SOAP primarily due to its architectural style that leverages standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to perform operations. This simplicity allows developers to easily understand and implement RESTful services without dealing with the complexities that often arise in SOAP, such as extensive XML-based messaging standards, strict protocols, and WSDL (Web Services Description Language) documents.

Additionally, REST uses lightweight data formats like JSON, which is easy to read and less verbose than XML, further enhancing its simplicity. This straightforward design helps in the quick development and integration of web services, making REST more accessible for developers, especially in web-centric applications.

In contrast, SOAP introduces various complexities and rigidity due to its reliance on strict protocols and various specifications for security, transactions, and reliability, which can complicate implementations.