Feign is a java to http client binder inspired by [Dagger](https://github.com/square/dagger), [Retrofit](https://github.com/square/retrofit), [JAXRS-2.0](https://jax-rs-spec.java.net/nonav/2.0/apidocs/index.html), and [WebSocket](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/articles/java/jsr356-1937161.html). Feign's first goal was reducing the complexity of binding [Denominator](https://github.com/Netflix/Denominator) uniformly to http apis regardless of [restfulness](http://www.slideshare.net/adrianfcole/99problems).
## Disclaimer
Feign is experimental and [being simplified further](https://github.com/Netflix/feign/issues/53) in version 5. Particularly, this will impact how encoders and encoders are declared, and remove support for observable methods.
### Why Feign and not X?
You can use tools like Jersey and CXF to write java clients for ReST or SOAP services. You can write your own code on top of http transport libraries like Apache HC. Feign aims to connect your code to http apis with minimal overhead and code. Via customizable decoders and error handling, you should be able to write to any text-based http api.
adriancole
12 years ago