REST API

REpresentational State Transfer is a software architectural style developers apply to web APIs.

REST APIs provide simple, uniform interfaces because they can be used to make data, content, algorithms, media, and other digital resources available through web URLs. Essentially, REST APIs are the most common APIs used across the web today.

Use of a uniform interface (UI)

HTTP Methods

GET: This method allows the server to find the data you requested and send it back to you.

POST: This method permits the server to create a new entry in the database.

PUT: If you perform the ‘PUT’ request, the server will update an entry in the database.

DELETE: This method allows the server to delete an entry in the database.

Sample REST API

https://api.zippopotam.us/us/08028

http://api.tvmaze.com/search/shows?q=friends


https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts

https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1

https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1/comments




https://reqres.in/api/users?page=2

https://reqres.in/api/users/2

More examples

http://universities.hipolabs.com/search?country=United+States

https://itunes.apple.com/search?term=michael&limit=1000

https://www.boredapi.com/api/activity

https://techcrunch.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts?per_page=100&context=embed

CURL

Install curl (Client URL)

curl is a CLI application available for all OS.

https://curl.se/windows/

brew install curl

Usage

curl https://api.zippopotam.us/us/08028

curl https://api.zippopotam.us/us/08028 -o zipdata.json

Browser based

https://httpie.io/app

VS Code based

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=rangav.vscode-thunder-client

Summary

1. Definition: REST (Representational State Transfer) API is a set of guidelines for building web services. A RESTful API is an API that adheres to these guidelines and allows for interaction with RESTful web services.

2. How It Works: REST uses standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc. It is stateless, meaning each request from a client to a server must contain all the information needed to understand and complete the request.

3. Data Format: REST APIs typically exchange data in JSON or XML format.

4. Purpose: REST APIs are designed to be a simple and standardized way for systems to communicate over the web. They enable the backend services to communicate with front-end applications (like SPAs) or other services.

5. Use Cases: REST APIs are used in web services, mobile applications, and IoT (Internet of Things) applications for various purposes like fetching data, sending commands, and more.