What is Rest API?

 

What is Rest API?

 A REST API, or Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface, is an architectural style and set of conventions for building web services. It is commonly used for creating web services that can be easily consumed by clients over the internet.

 REST is based on a client-server model, where the server provides resources, and the client can interact with these resources using standard HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. The resources are typically represented using standard data formats such as JSON or XML.

 

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.