REST API
Definition
A REST API (Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface) is an architectural style for designing networked applications that defines a set of constraints for how web services communicate using standard HTTP methods.
A REST API enables communication and data exchange between different software systems, primarily over the internet. It adheres to the architectural principles of REST, which prioritize statelessness, client-server separation, and cacheability, making interactions scalable and reliable. When a client interacts with a REST API, it sends requests using standard HTTP verbs like GET (to retrieve information), POST (to create new information), PUT (to update existing information), and DELETE (to remove information).
Each distinct piece of information, known as a resource, is identified by a unique Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), typically a URL. Data exchanged through a REST API is commonly formatted as JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) or XML (Extensible Markup Language), allowing for flexible and structured data transmission.
For example, a mobile application might use a REST API to fetch the latest stock prices from a financial data provider.
REST APIs are a fundamental component of modern web development, microservices architectures, mobile application backends, and cloud computing, serving as a common standard for integrating various digital services and platforms.