Web Service
In Salesforce integration context, an API endpoint (REST or SOAP) that enables programmatic communication between Salesforce and external systems for exchanging data and executing operations.
Definition
In Salesforce integration context, an API endpoint (REST or SOAP) that enables programmatic communication between Salesforce and external systems for exchanging data and executing operations.
In plain English
“A Web Service in Salesforce integration is an API endpoint (REST or SOAP) that enables programmatic communication between Salesforce and external systems. Web services are how systems exchange data and invoke functionality across the internet.”
Worked example
Capstone Architects' permit-tracking software, hosted by an external vendor, needs to update Order records in the firm's Salesforce org each time a building permit is approved by the city. The vendor calls Salesforce's REST API - PATCH /services/data/v60.0/sobjects/Order/{id} - passing an OAuth bearer token and a JSON payload with the new permit number and approval date. Salesforce processes the request through the standard Web Service authentication, validation, and trigger pipeline, then returns 204 No Content. To the vendor, the integration is just an HTTP call against a documented REST endpoint; to Salesforce, it's a regular API request that fires the same workflows a UI edit would.
Why Web Service matters
In Salesforce integration context, a Web Service is an API endpoint (REST or SOAP) that enables programmatic communication between Salesforce and external systems for exchanging data and invoking functionality. Salesforce both provides web services (for external systems to call) and consumes web services (calling out to external systems).
Web services are the technical foundation of most Salesforce integrations. REST-based web services are the modern standard; SOAP-based services are legacy but still supported. Mature integration architectures use web services for system-to-system communication with appropriate authentication, error handling, and monitoring.
How organizations use Web Service
Uses REST web services for all modern Salesforce integrations.
Exposes custom Apex web services for external systems to call.
Teaches web service concepts as foundational integration knowledge.
Trust & references
Straight from the source - Salesforce's reference material on Web Service.
- About SOAP APISalesforce Developers
Test your knowledge
Q1. What is a Web Service?
Q2. What protocols does Salesforce support?
Q3. Does Salesforce only provide services?
Discussion
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