OData
OData (Open Data Protocol) is an open protocol that allows the creation and consumption of queryable and interoperable RESTful APIs in a standard way. It builds on core web technologies like HTTP, JSON, and XML to enable clients to query and manipulate data exposed by services, using a uniform set of operations and conventions. OData simplifies data access by providing a standardized approach for filtering, sorting, paging, and aggregating data over HTTP.
Developers should learn and use OData when building or consuming APIs that require standardized querying capabilities, especially in enterprise environments where interoperability between different systems is crucial. It is particularly useful for scenarios involving complex data queries, such as business intelligence applications, data analytics platforms, or any service that needs to expose large datasets with flexible filtering options. OData helps reduce development time by providing a consistent API pattern and enabling rich querying without custom endpoint design.