Definition #
REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style for building distributed systems using stateless HTTP communication, treating server resources as manipulable entities.
Key Characteristics #
- Uniform interface with resource-based URLs
- Stateless client-server communication
- Cacheable responses
- Layered system architecture
- Code-on-demand support (optional)
Why It Matters #
Forms the backbone of modern web services, enabling standardized communication between disparate systems while maintaining simplicity and scalability.
Common Use Cases #
- Mobile app backends
- E-commerce platforms
- Content management systems
- Third-party service integrations
- Cloud service management
Examples #
- Twitter API for social data access
- Stripe payment processing endpoints
- Google Maps geolocation services
- Shopify store management API
- AWS S3 bucket operations
FAQs #
Q: What’s the difference between PUT and PATCH?
A: PUT replaces entire resources, while PATCH modifies specific fields.
Q: Are REST APIs always HTTP-based?
A: While typically HTTP-based, REST principles can apply to other protocols.
Q: How does REST handle versioning?
A: Through URI versioning (v1/resource) or header parameters.