| HTTP Verb | Query | Description |
| GET | /users | Retrieves a list of users |
| GET | /users/8 | Retrieves a specific user |
| POST | /users | Creates a new user |
| PUT | /users/8 | Updates user #8 |
| PATCH | /users/8 | Partially updates |
| PATCH | /users/8/status | Updates status against user #8 |
| DELETE | /users/8 | Deletes user #8 |
RESTful APIs are vital for modern web applications, providing a flexible and scalable way for systems to communicate. Here’s a quick guide to key principles, best practices, HTTP methods, status codes, and common errors.
Key RESTful Principles
1. Uniform Interface: Resources identified by URLs (e.g., “/users/123”) using HTTP methods (“GET”, “POST”, etc.).
2. Stateless: Each request includes all information required; no session state stored server-side.
3. Client-Server Separation: Clients handle UI, while servers manage data and logic independently.
4. Cacheable: Define caching rules (e.g., “Cache-Control”) to improve performance.
5. Layered System: Clients interact with layers (e.g., proxies) without knowing internal server details.
Best Practices
1. Use Nouns in URLs: “/users”, not “/getUsers”.
2. Version Your API: “/v1/users”, to maintain backward compatibility.
3. Use Proper Status Codes: Ensure clear communication of the outcome.
4. Paginate Large Responses: For example, “GET /users?page=1&limit=50”.
5. Secure Your API: Use authentication (OAuth, API keys) and HTTPS.
HTTP Methods and REST Mapping
– GET: Retrieve data (read).
– Example: “GET /users/123” – Get user with ID 123.
– POST: Create a new resource.
– Example: “POST /users” – Create a new user.
– PUT: Update or replace an existing resource.
– Example: “PUT /users/123” – Update user with ID 123.
– PATCH: Partially update a resource.
– Example: “PATCH /users/123” – Update a user’s email.
– DELETE: Remove a resource.
– Example: “DELETE /users/123” – Delete user with ID 123.
HTTP Status Codes
– Success:
– “200 OK”: Request succeeded (GET, PUT).
– “201 Created”: New resource created (POST).
– “204 No Content”: Request successful, no content to return (DELETE).
– Client-Side Errors:
– “400 Bad Request”: Malformed request.
– “401 Unauthorized”: Authentication required.
– “403 Forbidden”: Access denied.
– “404 Not Found”: Resource not found.
– Server-Side Errors:
– “500 Internal Server Error”: Generic server failure.
– “502 Bad Gateway”: Invalid response from an upstream server.
– “503 Service Unavailable”: Server temporarily unable to handle the request.
By following these principles and best practices, you can design scalable, secure, and maintainable RESTful APIs that provide a seamless experience for users and developers alike.
Techy Chalkboard in bits and pieces 