What is REST API?

Full transcript

Imagine two apps that need to talk to each other — but they speak completely different languages. How do they actually communicate and share information seamlessly? That is exactly where an API comes in. An API, or Application Programming Interface, acts like a waiter that carries requests and responses between two systems. REST stands for Representational State Transfer. It is a set of rules that defines how two systems should communicate over the internet using standard HTTP methods. REST APIs use four main actions: GET to retrieve data, POST to send new data, PUT to update existing data, and DELETE to remove data from a server. When your app sends a request, the server processes it and sends back a response — usually in a lightweight format called JSON, which both sides can easily read and understand. REST APIs power almost everything you use daily — from social media feeds to weather apps and online payments. They are the invisible backbone of the modern internet.