Which version of SOAP is recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)?

The recommended version of SOAP by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is Version 1.2. This version was designed to address the shortcomings of Version 1.1, particularly in areas such as error handling and the specification of messaging patterns. SOAP 1.2 provides a more robust framework for messaging, allowing for interoperability and extensibility, making it suitable for modern web services.

Version 1.2 introduces a number of improvements and updates to the protocol, including better support for different encoding styles and formats, as well as a clearer definition of faults and error handling mechanisms. This makes it the preferred version for developers building systems that rely on SOAP-based web services, ensuring more compatibility and adherence to standards set forth by the W3C.

In contrast, earlier versions like 1.1 have been largely superseded in modern implementations, and versions beyond 1.2, such as 2.0 and 3.0, do not exist in the specified context of SOAP. Thus, 1.2 is entrenched within the recommended standards for SOAP communication as set by W3C.