Question 1

What makes an API RESTful?

Accepted Answer

A RESTful API follows six key principles: stateless communication (each request contains all necessary information), client-server architecture, cacheable responses, uniform interface with standard HTTP methods, layered system design, and optionally, code on demand. It uses standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and status codes, treats everything as resources with unique URLs, and returns data in formats like JSON.

Question 2

What's the difference between REST and GraphQL?

Accepted Answer

REST uses multiple endpoints for different resources and returns fixed data structures, while GraphQL uses a single endpoint and allows clients to request exactly the data they need. REST is simpler to implement and cache, while GraphQL reduces over-fetching and under-fetching of data. REST is better for simple APIs, while GraphQL excels in complex applications with varied data requirements.

Question 3

When should I use REST vs SOAP?

Accepted Answer

Use REST for modern web applications, mobile apps, and microservices due to its simplicity, lightweight nature, and JSON support. Use SOAP for enterprise applications requiring strict security, ACID transactions, formal contracts (WSDL), or when working with legacy systems. REST is faster and easier to implement, while SOAP provides more robust security and standardization.

REST

(Representational State Transfer)

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