What is the difference between webapi and webservice?

Web API and Web Service are technologies used to facilitate communication and data exchange between different systems, with the main distinction being:

1. Definition: A Web API is an application interface that provides access to application functionality through the HTTP protocol. It is typically designed using a RESTful architecture and utilizes standard HTTP methods (such as GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to perform operations. A Web Service is a network service based on standardized protocols and formats used for communication between different platforms and programming languages.
2. Communication methods: Web API utilizes HTTP protocol for communication, transferring data through sending HTTP requests and receiving HTTP responses. On the other hand, Web Service typically uses the SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) protocol to exchange data between different systems in XML format.
3. Data format: Web APIs commonly use JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) or XML (eXtensible Markup Language) formats to represent and transfer data. Web services typically use XML format to define data structures and transmit data.
4. Architectural style: Web API is typically designed using the RESTful architectural style, which emphasizes the state of resources and operations on resources through URIs. Web Service, on the other hand, usually uses a SOAP-based architecture, emphasizing communication through operations and messages.
5. Cross-platform support: Web API is more flexible and lightweight, allowing for cross-platform interaction between different platforms and programming languages. Web Service, on the other hand, uses the SOAP protocol and is better suited for use in enterprise environments, with support for additional security, transaction, and reliability features.

In general, Web API is simpler, more flexible, and easier to use, making it suitable for building fine-grained services, while Web Service is more complex and powerful, making it suitable for building enterprise-level services. The choice of which technology to use depends on the specific application scenario and requirements.