REST Maturity Model
ELI5 — The Vibe Check
The REST Maturity Model is a scorecard for how 'RESTful' your API actually is, from Level 0 (you're basically using HTTP as a tunnel) to Level 3 (full hypermedia, your API is self-documenting). Most APIs claim to be REST but are really Level 2 at best. It's like self-reported fitness levels — everyone rounds up.
Real Talk
The REST Maturity Model, defined by Leonard Richardson, classifies REST APIs into four levels: Level 0 (single URI, single verb), Level 1 (multiple URIs/resources), Level 2 (proper HTTP verbs and status codes), and Level 3 (HATEOAS — hypermedia controls). Most production APIs operate at Level 2.
When You'll Hear This
"Our API is Level 2 REST — proper resources and HTTP methods but no HATEOAS." / "Achieving Level 3 REST is academically pure but practically rare in production APIs."
Related Terms
HATEOAS (Hypermedia As The Engine Of Application State)
HATEOAS is the REST principle that nobody actually follows.
REST (Representational State Transfer)
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.
Richardson Maturity Model
The Richardson Maturity Model is just the formal name for the REST Maturity Model — named after Leonard Richardson who defined the four levels. It's the sa