What it means for an API to be RESTful
%3Aquality(85)%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fandros.dev%2Fmedia%2Fthumbnails%2FOpenAI_Playground_2025-07-23_at_10.19.17.png&w=3840&q=75)
The author argues that many developers misuse the term 'RESTful' to describe simple HTTP APIs that return JSON. It clarifies that REST is a strict architectural style defined by Roy Fielding, emphasizing the importance of hypermedia and the Richardson Maturity Model.
Why it matters
Understanding the distinction between true REST and RPC-style APIs is critical for building scalable, standardized web services.
Leer en español Share I am sorry, but you do not know what a RESTful API is. I know you are a seasoned developer who has integrated APIs of all kinds, and you may even have dozens in production across multiple languages. But all of that only proves you have followed the industry's good practices and read immeasurable lines of documentation, which is good. However, none of it certifies your knowledge of RESTful. Don't panic! You are not alone. Most developers I know could not define it, implement it or point out its strengths either. That is why in this article I am going to explain its virtues with examples that are easy to understand. And you may well never look at an API the same way again once you finish reading. You have been warned!
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in