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Web & Technology

REST API (واجهة REST)

A REST API is an interface that follows the REST architectural style, exposing resources over HTTP with standard methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. It is the most common way web and mobile apps exchange data with servers.

In Iraqi dialect

طريقة قياسية للبرامج حتى تتبادل بيانات عبر الويب

In detail

REST treats everything as a resource identified by a URL. A client performs an action using an HTTP method: GET to read, POST to create, PUT or PATCH to update, DELETE to remove. Responses are usually JSON, and the API is stateless — each request carries all the information needed. REST's simplicity, tooling, and compatibility make it the default for public and internal APIs. Authentication typically uses tokens, and good REST design uses clear resource paths, proper status codes, and versioning. Most integrations a business builds — payments, CRMs, AI tools — speak REST.

Practical example

A mobile app fetches the product list with a GET request to /products and submits orders with POST.

Frequently asked questions

What HTTP methods does a REST API use?

GET to read, POST to create, PUT/PATCH to update, and DELETE to remove resources.

Is REST still relevant with GraphQL around?

Yes — REST remains the dominant, simplest choice for most APIs; GraphQL solves specific over/under-fetching needs.

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