The difference between an API and a REST API

Question

The difference between an API and a REST API

In: 198

Answer 1

API = how programs talk to each other

REST API = how programs talk to each other, with a buzzword in front. This particular API is almost always over http for boilerplate web apps and suggests that every ‘thing’ have 4 associated http functions for creating, reading, updating and deleting the ‘thing’.

In reality, bits dont get ‘deleted’, and in most circumstances an update should look the same as a write. A REST API does however mean a read/write is likely coded for whatever ‘thing’ the programmer wanted to send, and also likely means it can be read from the browser.