REST API, which stands for Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface, is an architectural style for designing networked applications. It is commonly used in web service development to allow communication between systems over the internet. REST is an acronym coined by Roy Fielding in his doctoral dissertation, and it emphasizes a stateless client-server communication model.
Key characteristics of a REST API include:
Statelessness: Each request from a client to a server contains all the information needed to understand and fulfill that request. The server does not store any information about the client's state between requests.
Resource-Based: Resources, such as data or services, are identified by unique URLs (uniform resource locators). Clients interact with these resources using standard HTTP methods, such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE.
Representation: Resources are represented in a format, such as JSON or XML, which is agreed upon by the client and server. This representation can be used to manipulate the resource's state.
Uniform Interface: REST APIs follow a uniform interface that simplifies communication. This includes using standard HTTP methods, resource identification through URLs, and a consistent representation format.
Stateless Communication: Each request from a client to a server is independent and contains all the information necessary for the server to fulfill that request. The server does not store any information about the client's state between requests.
Client-Server Architecture: The client and server are separate entities that communicate over a network. The client is responsible for the user interface and user experience, while the server handles the application's business logic and data storage.
Cacheability: Responses from the server can be explicitly marked as cacheable or non-cacheable. This allows clients to cache responses and improve performance.