REST API Main Concepts
Let's dive deeper into what a REST API is and how it works, since we are about to build it. Understanding these fundamental concepts will lay a solid foundation for the rest of our project.
🤔 What is a REST API?
REST, or Representational State Transfer, is an architectural style for designing networked applications. REST APIs are a set of rules for creating and interacting with web services, facilitating seamless data exchange and operations across software systems.
🔍 Key Principles of REST
To grasp the essence of REST APIs, it's essential to remember these core principles:
- Statelessness: In REST, each client and server interaction is self-contained. All the necessary information must be included in the request itself;
- Resource-Centric: REST treats everything as a resource, uniquely identifying each resource by a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier). These resources interact through standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE;
- Representation: Resources in REST can have multiple representations, such as JSON or XML. This flexibility allows clients to choose their preferred format for data exchange.
🤷♂️ How REST APIs Operate
Now, let's take a closer look at how REST APIs operate. The process involves several key steps:
- Request: Clients initiate requests by providing all necessary details within each request. This includes the HTTP method, URI, and required parameters or data;
- Resource: The API processes the request based on the resource's unique URI. This URI serves as the address for the requested resource;
- HTTP Methods: Standard HTTP methods determine the operation type to perform. For example, GET is used for retrieval, POST for creation, PUT for updating, and DELETE for removal;
- Response: After processing the request, the server sends a response in the chosen representation format, typically JSON or XML. This response contains the requested data or confirmation of the action performed;
- Statelessness: REST interactions are designed to be stateless, meaning no session data is stored between requests. Each request is independent and self-sufficient.
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Conteúdo do Curso
Node.js Express: API & CLI Apps
4. Developing REST API
Node.js Express: API & CLI Apps
REST API Main Concepts
Let's dive deeper into what a REST API is and how it works, since we are about to build it. Understanding these fundamental concepts will lay a solid foundation for the rest of our project.
🤔 What is a REST API?
REST, or Representational State Transfer, is an architectural style for designing networked applications. REST APIs are a set of rules for creating and interacting with web services, facilitating seamless data exchange and operations across software systems.
🔍 Key Principles of REST
To grasp the essence of REST APIs, it's essential to remember these core principles:
- Statelessness: In REST, each client and server interaction is self-contained. All the necessary information must be included in the request itself;
- Resource-Centric: REST treats everything as a resource, uniquely identifying each resource by a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier). These resources interact through standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE;
- Representation: Resources in REST can have multiple representations, such as JSON or XML. This flexibility allows clients to choose their preferred format for data exchange.
🤷♂️ How REST APIs Operate
Now, let's take a closer look at how REST APIs operate. The process involves several key steps:
- Request: Clients initiate requests by providing all necessary details within each request. This includes the HTTP method, URI, and required parameters or data;
- Resource: The API processes the request based on the resource's unique URI. This URI serves as the address for the requested resource;
- HTTP Methods: Standard HTTP methods determine the operation type to perform. For example, GET is used for retrieval, POST for creation, PUT for updating, and DELETE for removal;
- Response: After processing the request, the server sends a response in the chosen representation format, typically JSON or XML. This response contains the requested data or confirmation of the action performed;
- Statelessness: REST interactions are designed to be stateless, meaning no session data is stored between requests. Each request is independent and self-sufficient.
Tudo estava claro?
