RESTful API

What is a RESTful API ?

A RESTful API (Representational State Transfer) is a type of programming interface based on the principles of REST, an architectural style for distributed systems. These principles include:

  1. Statelessness : Every request from a client to the server must contain all Info necessary to understand and process the request. The server does not store client-side data between requests.
  2. Client-server architecture : The client and server components are separated from each other, meaning they can be developed and maintained independently. The client is responsible for the user interface, while the server handles data management.
  3. Uniform Interface : A uniform interface between client and server simplifies and decouples the architecture. This includes the use of standardized HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and the uniform structure of URLs.
  4. Cacheability : Responses from servers should be able to be marked as cacheable to reduce network load and improve performance.
  5. Layered System : A client cannot tell whether it is communicating directly with the end server or an intermediate server. This allows the use of layers such as proxies and gateways to improve scalability and security.
  6. Code on Demand (optional) : Servers can send executable code to clients to extend their capabilities.

RESTful API s are widely used to create web services that provide a simple, standardized and well-structured way to exchange data between different systems. They are particularly useful for integrating applications and providing services over the Internet.