Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface

A REST API represents an architectural style rather than a protocol, offering a collection of design principles for web services to interact. It utilizes standard HTTP methods to execute operations on resources, sending a representation of the resource's state to the client in adaptable formats such as JSON.

REST APIs are characterized by a series of architectural constraints that promote scalability, simplicity, and reliability. These principles dictate the interactions among components in a distributed system, resulting in a more decoupled and maintainable architecture.

Creating a robust REST API requires following established conventions that improve usability and maintainability. Adhering to these best practices ensures that the API is user-friendly for developers, secure, and capable of scaling over time.

Although both REST and RPC enable service communication, they are based on fundamentally different architectural philosophies.

REST APIs form the foundation of contemporary web development, allowing various applications to interact effortlessly. Their adaptability and scalability make them appropriate for a broad spectrum of applications, ranging from simple mobile applications to intricate enterprise systems.