Can Postman Send SOAP Request? #api #request #postman

Yes, Postman can send SOAP requests, even though it is widely known for its support of RESTful APIs. While SOAP may
not be as popular as REST today, it still plays a critical role in specific legacy systems and enterprise-level
applications. Understanding how to work with SOAP in Postman expands your testing capabilities and allows you to
handle a wider range of API types.

Understanding SOAP Requests

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a messaging protocol that allows programs running on
different operating systems to communicate with each other. It is XML-based and is used to exchange information in a
decentralized, distributed environment. Unlike REST, which often uses JSON for data format, SOAP heavily relies on
XML.

SOAP is known for its strict communication structure, which includes envelopes, headers, and bodies. This
makes it reliable in scenarios where security, transactions, or other formal protocols are required.

How Postman Can Send SOAP Requests

To send a SOAP request using Postman, you need to manually configure the request body with the appropriate XML
structure. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

• Set the request type to POST, as SOAP services use POST methods.
• Insert the endpoint URL of the SOAP service.
• In the Body tab, select raw and choose XML as the body type.
• Construct your SOAP XML payload with the necessary envelope,
  header, and body.
• Send the request and review the response in the Postman interface.

Setting the Body for a SOAP Service

When configuring the body for your SOAP request in Postman, you’ll need to ensure that the

SOAP envelope

is properly structured. A typical SOAP request consists of an envelope that
contains a header (optional) and a body. The body houses the actual content, or payload, which is passed to the service.

Here’s an example:

<soapenv:Envelope xmlns:soapenv="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/" xmlns:web="http://www.example.com/webservice">
  <soapenv:Header/>
  <soapenv:Body>
    <web:GetData>
      <web:Id>123</web:Id>
    </web:GetData>
  </soapenv:Body>
</soapenv:Envelope>

Tips for Successful SOAP Testing

Testing SOAP requests in Postman requires some additional steps compared to RESTful APIs. Here are a few best
practices to ensure smooth testing:

• Validate your XML structure: SOAP requests are strict with their XML format. Even a minor syntax
  error can result in failed requests.
• Use correct headers: Add headers like Content-Type: text/xml to inform the server that
  you’re sending XML data.
• Understand WSDL: SOAP services are usually defined by a WSDL (Web Services Description Language)
  file. Familiarizing yourself with the WSDL will help you understand how to structure your requests.

Common Issues When Testing SOAP Requests in Postman

While Postman is capable of sending SOAP requests, you might encounter some challenges:

• Improper WSDL parsing: Postman doesn’t automatically parse WSDL files, so you’ll need to manually structure your
  requests.
• Authentication: Many SOAP services require specific types of authentication, such as Basic Auth or tokens,
  which can be configured under the Authorization tab in Postman.

Conclusion

Postman is a versatile tool for testing not only REST APIs but also SOAP services.
With some configuration and understanding of the SOAP protocol, you can effectively test SOAP requests in Postman,
enriching your API testing capabilities. By mastering SOAP requests in Postman, you open the door to testing legacy
systems and enterprise-level applications.