REST
Representational State Transfer
ELI5 — The Vibe Check
REST is a set of rules for how APIs should behave. Think of it as the etiquette guide for servers and clients talking to each other. 'Use GET to read stuff, POST to create stuff, DELETE to remove stuff' — that kind of thing.
Real Talk
REST is an architectural style for designing networked APIs that uses standard HTTP methods and stateless communication. RESTful APIs treat everything as a resource accessible via URLs, with operations mapped to HTTP verbs (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).
When You'll Hear This
"We're building a REST API for the mobile app." / "Is this endpoint following REST conventions?"
Related Terms
API (Application Programming Interface)
An API is like a menu at a restaurant. The kitchen (server) can do a bunch of things, but you can only order what's on the menu.
CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete)
CRUD is the four things you can do to data: Create it, Read it, Update it, Delete it. Literally every app ever made is just CRUD in a trenchcoat.
Endpoint
An endpoint is a specific URL that your API listens on for requests.
GraphQL
GraphQL is like ordering food where YOU specify exactly what you want on your plate.
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
HTTP is the language your browser uses to ask websites for stuff. You type a URL, your browser shouts 'hey, give me that page!
RESTful
RESTful just means 'follows the REST rules properly.' It's like saying someone is 'lawful' — they play by the agreed-upon rules.