Documentum DFS vs
REST API
Comparison Overview for Presentation
• DFS: Client → SOAP Request → DFS Service → Content Server
• REST API: Client → REST Request (HTTP) → REST Server → Content
Server
Feature/Aspect Documentum Foundation Services (DFS) Documentum REST API
Release Year Around 2007 (D6.0 onwards) Around 2015 (D7.2 onwards)
RESTful Web Services (HTTP methods: GET, POST,
Architecture Style SOAP-based Web Services (WS-* standards)
PUT, DELETE)
Communication Protocol SOAP over HTTP Pure HTTP/HTTPS
Payload Format XML (heavy, verbose) JSON (lightweight, web-friendly)
Complex, requires client stubs (WSDL, proxy
Ease of Integration Easy, direct URL access (no special stubs needed)
generation)
Any client that can send HTTP requests (JavaScript,
Client Requirements Java/.NET specific client libraries required
Python, Java, etc.)
Performance Slower (due to SOAP overhead) Faster (lightweight JSON + HTTP)
Easier to extend/customize with additional REST
Customization Requires building custom DFS services
endpoints
Easier (especially for web developers familiar with
Learning Curve Steeper (need to understand WSDL, SOAP)
REST)
Security WS-Security (complex, SOAP header based) HTTP basic auth, OAuth (lighter security integration)
Lighter — integrated in Documentum REST services
Deployment Complexity Heavier deployment (EAR/WAR files needed)
server
Modern API Trends Legacy technology Aligned with modern API-first designs
Mobile/Cloud Readiness Difficult for mobile/web applications Mobile- and cloud-friendly
New projects, mobile apps, microservices
Use Case Today Legacy systems needing backward compatibility
integrations
Example Call Needs complex SOAP request envelopes Simple curl http://server/dctm-rest/repositories
Summary for Presentation
• DFS = Good for older, enterprise-grade SOAP integrations (Java/.NET clients).
• REST API = Best choice for new applications, mobile/ web, cloud-native systems.
• Modern Recommendation: → Use Documentum REST API wherever possible for better performance, ease of use, and future scalability.
