Which protocol is utilized by the Salesforce Streaming API?

The Salesforce Streaming API uses the Bayeux protocol for its messaging capabilities. The Bayeux protocol is designed for asynchronous messaging and allows clients to receive real-time notifications of changes to Salesforce data. This is achieved through a publish-subscribe model where clients subscribe to specific events, and the server pushes notifications to the clients whenever those events occur.

The choice of Bayeux is significant because it supports long-lived connections suitable for real-time updates, making it ideal for applications that require immediate notifications, such as dashboards or mobile apps. This real-time data push capability enhances user experience by providing timely information that can trigger actions or updates in client applications without the need for constant polling.

In contrast, while SOAP, REST, and XML are commonly used in various Salesforce integrations, they do not provide the same level of efficiency and performance for real-time updates as the Bayeux protocol. SOAP and REST primarily focus on synchronous request-response patterns, and while XML is a data format rather than a communication protocol, it can be used in conjunction with SOAP and REST APIs. Thus, Bayeux stands out as the specifically utilized protocol for the Salesforce Streaming API, enabling the effective handling of real-time events.