Difference between REST and SOAP API in SFMC with general examples?

 

The differences between REST and SOAP APIs in Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC) with some general examples:

  1. Communication and Data Format:

REST API Example: Let's say you want to retrieve subscriber data from SFMC. Using a REST API, you would make an HTTP GET request to the appropriate endpoint, such as https://yourSFMCendpoint.com/subscribers. The response would be in JSON format, containing the subscriber data as a JSON object or an array of objects.

SOAP API Example: With a SOAP API, you would construct a SOAP request message in XML format, specifying the action and parameters needed. For example, you might create a SOAP request to retrieve subscriber data, including the appropriate XML structure and SOAP envelope. The response would also be in XML format, containing the requested subscriber data.

  1. Ease of Use and Simplicity:

REST API Example: Suppose you want to create a new subscriber record in SFMC. Using a REST API, you would send an HTTP POST request to the appropriate endpoint, such as https://yourSFMCendpoint.com/subscribers. The request body would contain the subscriber data in JSON format, making it easy to read and manipulate.

SOAP API Example: With a SOAP API, creating a new subscriber record would involve constructing a SOAP request message in XML format, including the necessary data elements and structure. The XML structure and SOAP envelope add complexity to the request creation process.

  1. Flexibility and Extensibility:

REST API Example: Let's say you want to update a subscriber's email address. Using a REST API, you would typically send an HTTP PATCH or PUT request to the appropriate endpoint, including the updated data in the request body. REST APIs offer flexibility in terms of data formats and support for various client technologies.

SOAP API Example: Updating a subscriber's email address using a SOAP API would involve constructing a SOAP request message with the necessary XML elements and data. SOAP APIs provide extensibility through features like WS-Security for authentication and encryption, making them suitable for complex enterprise integrations.


  1. Performance:

REST API Example: If you need to retrieve a large amount of subscriber data, a REST API can be more performant due to its lightweight nature and reliance on standard HTTP. The use of JSON, a lightweight data format, also contributes to faster data transfer.

SOAP API Example: SOAP APIs can be slower and more resource-intensive due to the additional XML parsing and processing involved. However, they offer advanced features and can handle complex integrations or scenarios that require enterprise-level security and reliability.

In general, REST APIs in SFMC are simpler, lightweight, and well-suited for most modern web-based integrations. They use JSON for data exchange and leverage standard HTTP methods. On the other hand, SOAP APIs provide advanced features and extensibility, using XML for data exchange and supporting more complex enterprise scenarios. The choice between REST and SOAP depends on your specific requirements and the capabilities of your integration platform or client technology.

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