REST API
REST (Representational State Transfer) API is an architectural style for designing networked applications, using HTTP protocols to enable communication between clients and servers. It relies on stateless operations and standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to manipulate resources identified by URLs. REST APIs are widely used for web services, mobile apps, and microservices due to their simplicity, scalability, and interoperability.
Developers should learn REST APIs when building web services, mobile backends, or integrating systems, as they provide a standardized way to expose data and functionality over HTTP. They are essential for creating scalable and maintainable applications, especially in microservices architectures or when developing public-facing APIs for third-party use. REST is particularly useful for CRUD operations, real-time data exchange, and building decoupled client-server systems.