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REST
Definition:
REST, or Representational State Transfer, is an architectural style for designing networked applications where resources are identified by unique URLs and can be manipulated using a small set of standardized operations, such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. It promotes scalability, simplicity, and interoperability in distributed systems by leveraging the existing infrastructure of the World Wide Web.
The Concept of REST in Software Development
REST, which stands for Representational State Transfer, is an architectural style that defines a set of constraints to be used for creating web services. It was introduced by Roy Fielding in his doctoral dissertation in 2000.
Key Principles of REST:
- Stateless: Each request from a client to a server must contain all the information necessary to understand the request. The server should not store any client context between requests.
- Client-Server: There should be a clear separation between the client and server. This separation allows for increased portability and scalability.
- Uniform Interface: REST uses a uniform and predefined set of operations (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) that are applied to resources. This simplifies and decouples the architecture, making it easier to evolve over time.
- Cacheable: Responses from the server must explicitly state whether they are cacheable or not. Caching can improve performance and scalability.
- Layered System: REST allows for the use of intermediaries, such as proxies and gateways, to improve system scalability. Each layer cannot "see" beyond the immediate layer it is interacting with.
- Code on Demand (optional): This constraint is optional and allows for the server to temporarily extend the functionality of a client by transferring executable code.
RESTful systems are designed to be simple, lightweight, and scalable, making them ideal for distributed systems on the web. By adhering to the principles of REST, developers can create APIs that are flexible, easy to understand, and can evolve over time without breaking existing clients.
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