What Is REST API?

The four main components of a REST API (representational state transfer application programming interface) are the resource (data or service), URI (uniform resource identifier), HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE), and the representation of the resource (usually in JSON or XML format).

An API (application programming interface) defines how software components should interact. REST API is a specific type of API that adheres to the principles of representational state transfer, using standard HTTP methods for communication.

REST API is used when building web services that need to be scalable, stateless, and support multiple client platforms. It is suitable for applications requiring efficient data transfer and integration with various systems.

REST APIs offer advantages such as simplicity, scalability, and flexibility. They enable efficient communication between different software systems and are commonly used in modern web development.

SOAP (simple object access protocol) and REST (representational state transfer) are two different approaches to web services. SOAP is a protocol, while REST is an architectural style. REST is often considered more lightweight and flexible compared to SOAP.