What is REST API?
REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style for designing networked applications.
REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style for designing networked applications. RESTful APIs use HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to perform CRUD operations on resources identified by URLs. REST has been the dominant web API paradigm since the mid-2000s.
REST principles: Stateless (each request contains all information needed), Client-server separation, Uniform interface (resource-based URLs, standard HTTP methods), and Layered system (intermediaries like caches and load balancers). Richardson Maturity Model levels: Level 0 (single endpoint), Level 1 (resources), Level 2 (HTTP verbs), Level 3 (hypermedia/HATEOAS).
Why It Matters
REST APIs are the lingua franca of web services. Understanding REST design principles is essential for building maintainable, scalable, and developer-friendly APIs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a REST API?
An API that follows REST architectural principles: stateless, resource-based URLs, standard HTTP methods (GET/POST/PUT/DELETE), and JSON responses. The dominant web API paradigm.
REST vs GraphQL?
REST: simple, cacheable, well-understood, one resource per endpoint. GraphQL: flexible queries, single endpoint, client specifies data shape. Use REST for simple CRUD, GraphQL for complex data requirements.
Related Terms
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