What
is Rest API?
Here are some key principles and features of REST APIs:
1. Stateless: Each request from a client to a server is
self-contained and does not rely on the server's previous state. The server
treats each request independently, which simplifies scalability and
reliability.
2. Resource-oriented: REST APIs expose resources, which
can be entities or collections of entities, such as users, products, or orders.
Each resource is uniquely identified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).
3. HTTP Methods: REST APIs use HTTP methods to perform
operations on resources. The common methods are:
- GET: Retrieve
a representation of a resource.
- POST: Create a
new resource.
- PUT: Update an
existing resource or create a new resource.
- DELETE: Remove a resource.
4. Uniform Interface: REST APIs follow a uniform
interface, meaning they have a consistent and predictable structure. This
simplifies client development and enables loose coupling between the client and
server.
5. Stateless Communication: REST APIs do not maintain
client state on the server. Instead, each request contains all the necessary
information for the server to understand and process it. This allows for
scalability and reliability.
6. Data Formats: REST APIs commonly use data formats like
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) or XML (eXtensible Markup Language) to
represent the data being sent or received.
7. Hypermedia as the Engine of Application State
(HATEOAS): This principle suggests including hypermedia links in API responses.
These links provide navigation and discovery capabilities, allowing clients to
understand the available actions and resources dynamically.
REST APIs have become popular due to their simplicity,
scalability, and compatibility with various programming languages and
platforms. They are widely used in web development, mobile app development, and
integration between different systems.
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