What distinguishes SOAP from REST APIs?

The correct response highlights a fundamental difference between SOAP and REST. SOAP, or Simple Object Access Protocol, is indeed a protocol that operates under a strict set of standards and utilizes XML for messaging. Its design is focused around standardizing how messages are sent and received, ensuring that those messages are well-formed and adhere to a predefined structure.

On the other hand, REST, which stands for Representational State Transfer, is an architectural style that allows developers to design APIs that use the web’s existing architecture. REST is more flexible than SOAP and can use multiple formats, including XML, JSON, and HTML, to represent the data being communicated.

This distinction supports REST's versatility in working with various web resources and its compatibility with the HTTP protocol. By understanding that SOAP is a protocol requiring specific XML standards while REST is a more adaptable architectural style, it becomes clear why this choice accurately reflects the differences between them.