How does a REST API work?

A REST API (Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface) works through a set of guidelines that enable communication between different software systems over the internet. It follows the principles of the REST architectural style, which emphasizes a stateless, client-server communication model. In this model, the server provides access to resources (such as data or functionalities) and the client interacts with these resources using HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. The API exposes endpoints that represent specific resources, and the client can request or manipulate these resources through corresponding HTTP requests. The server then responds with the requested data or a status code indicating the success or failure of the request. REST APIs commonly use JSON or XML formats to structure data, making it easier for different systems to understand and exchange information.

This mind map was published on 11 September 2023 and has been viewed 110 times.