title: What's the difference between cURL + HTTP and RESTful web services?
body: <p>I don't understand the difference between </p>
  
  <p>a) on the server side initiating a cURL connection and transmit POST information to <code>http://somesite.com/action</code> and receiving XML data</p>
  
  <p>and </p>
  
  <p>b) using cURL to access RESTful web services</p>
  
  <p>Are a) and b) the same thing?  Are they synonymous?</p>