RESTful API is an architectural style that uses HTTP protocols to interact with web services. It emphasizes stateless communication, client-server separation, and uniform interfaces. Below are key concepts and examples to help you get started:

Core Principles 💡

  • Stateless: Each request from the client contains all the information needed to process it.
  • Resource-Based: Data is treated as resources (e.g., /users, /products) accessible via URLs.
  • Standardized Methods: Uses HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE for operations.
  • Representation: Resources can be represented in formats like JSON or XML.

Common HTTP Methods 📝

Method Purpose Example Request
GET Retrieve data GET /api/products/123
POST Create new data POST /api/users
PUT Update existing data PUT /api/products/123
DELETE Delete data DELETE /api/users/456

Status Codes 📊

  • 200 OK: Successful request
  • 201 Created: Resource created
  • 400 Bad Request: Invalid input
  • 404 Not Found: Resource not exists
  • 500 Internal Server Error: Server-side issue

Example Use Case 📦

  1. Request: GET /api/books
    RESTful_API_illustration
  2. Response: 
    {
  "books": [
    {"id": 1, "title": "API Design", "author": "John Doe"},
    {"id": 2, "title": "RESTful Patterns", "author": "Jane Smith"}
  ]
}

Further Reading 📚

For visual learners, explore HTTP Method Diagrams to deepen your understanding.