REST API vs RESTful API: Which One Leads in Web App Development?

API, a software that stands for Application programming interface, is an application that connects and retrieves a system’s data. It serves as a tool for two computers to communicate with each other using a set of protocols and definitions.

One primary reason you should take advantage of the API is that in building applications, you do not need to go through the hustle and bustle of trying to develop a fantastic web application.

All you need to do is implement the API software, which makes it easy for programmers to expose and identify what a developer needs to develop a suitable and friendly web application for your business.

We are in an age and time where data exchange through different tools is becoming predominant. What do you think acts as a mediator and ensures the communication or application used works perfectly well?

It is the API. One proof that we use API daily is the use of payment platforms. Perhaps you use PayPal to make payments from one account to another. The API software ensures the server receives the request sent.

For a web developer, there are different ways API can be created. However, this article will explain the two primary methods most developers use to facilitate interactions between computers or applications. They are REST API and RESTful API.

Also, this blog will demystify the critical differences between the concepts. REST API vs RESTful API may seem the same. No, they aren’t the same, and that’s why this article aims to help you understand their differences, serving as a guide on which one to choose for your business.

Contents

• What is a REST API?
• Benefits of REST API.
• What is a RESTful API?
• Benefits of RESTful API
• Key differences between REST API and RESTful API
• Why APIs are used in most organizations.
• REST API vs RESTful API
• Final Thoughts

WHAT IS A REST API?

A REST API is the software communicating and interacting between computers using the HTTP protocol. REST is an acronym for Representational state transfer, and it follows certain guiding principles exchanged in a format like JSON (JavaScript Object Notation).

Let’s say you open your weather update app on your phone. When you open it, what happens next is the app might use the REST API to request the current weather update from a server.

In a doctoral dissertation, computer scientist Dr. Roy Fielding defined REST API for the first time in 2000.

He explained REST to be a relatively high level of flexibility and freedom for developers, which is why REST API is now one of the most commonly used methods for connecting components and applications.

When using REST API, the clients send a request to the server containing all the information needed to understand and respond to the request. However, the server doesn’t store any state about the clients between the servers.

Instead, Uniform Resource Identifiers (URI) uniquely identify resources like data or services. For instance, a user profile might be represented by the URI.

Using the software maintains a consistent way of interacting with resources. This includes the conventional way of creating, retrieving, updating, and deleting resources (CRUD Operations).

Also, a request from a client to a server is independent; hence, the reason doesn’t need a server to remember previous requests.

Remember that these principles contribute to the software’s simplicity, scalability, and reliability.

Benefits of REST API

1. Simple to use: REST API uses standard HTTP methods, making it easy for developers to understand, implement, and modify several API architectures. It is flexible, enabling the smooth flow of business connectivity.
2. Scalability: One of the most crucial benefits of REST API is scalability. REST API also grows as the demand rises, enabling the applications to scale effortlessly. Hence, due to the separation between the clients and the server, REST API is sealed quickly without hassles.
3. Statelessness: It enhances reliability and reduces complex data. Each request from a client to a server depends on the application’s state.
4. Efficiency: Another benefit is efficiency. When an API REST software is flexible, it contributes to faster development, easier maintenance, and improved performance.

What is a RESTFUL API?

RESTful APIs are systems with a uniform and consistent interface that exchange information over the internet with tight security. It follows a set of rules and guidelines which any API must adhere to.

Let’s consider an e-commerce application like Jumia. In this case, RESTful API is used to integrate with third-party applications to request access information on the server. One principle of the RESTful API application is that the client and the server are separate entities.

The client is responsible for the user interface and experience, while the data manages data storage, processing, and security. Moreover, this separation makes the software more flexible in its operations.

Another principle states that clients manipulate resources through representations like JSON and XML, so API should have a uniform and consistent interface.

In other words, make sure to distinguish the close similarities between these two concepts, REST API and RESTful API. As we move on, you’ll see their differences. But first, let’s talk about the features of RESTFUL API.

Benefits of RESTful API

• They use less bandwidth: The web service uses less bandwidth due to its design principles. When you send data through a network using the RESTful API, it sends and receives in lightweight data formats such as JSON. Hence, the API leverages standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE, which are optimized for web communication.
• They support every kind of data format. Another benefit is their flexibility in supporting various data formats. JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) and XML (eXtensible Markup Language) are common formats RESTful API uses. As a result, developers can choose what format fits their needs.
• They have an easy learning curve: Their simple learning curves lie with the standard HTTP methods, making them available for developers. This simplicity makes things easy for the initial adoption of the RESTful concepts and facilitates faster development.
• Developers do not need to build it from scratch: Another key benefit is developers do not need to build from scratch. There are often frameworks and tools that simplify the building process of creating, deploying, and managing these APIs.

It reduces the likelihood of errors and allows developers to focus on designing and implementing specific application functions rather than spending time on the low-level detail of API construction.

Key Differences Between REST API and RESTful API

As explained in previous paragraphs, REST and RESTful API might be used interchangeably, but they have distinct differences. Here are the differences.

1. Design Principles:

While a REST principle adheres to some aspects of the REST architecture, it might lack a consistent and standardized approach in areas such as resource organization, interface uniformity, and client-server separation.

Imagine a REST API for an online store where the resource endpoints use varied naming conventions. Retrieving user information will require you to fetch product details using fetchProductData.

A RESTful principle, on the other hand, adheres to the core design principle. It strongly emphasizes a uniform interface, clearly organizing resources, maintaining a strict client-server separation, and other principles like caching and statelessness.

User information follows a consistent pattern in creating resources, which makes it more predictable.

2. Uniform Interface:

REST API follows the principles of Representational State Transfer but might not strictly adhere to a uniform interface.

For instance, A REST API that uses different resource endpoints leads to inconsistencies in how clients interact with other parts of the API.

On the other hand, RESTful API emphasizes a uniform and consistent interface that ensures a standard way of interacting resources through well-defined operations.

Here, an API follows specific resource endpoints, providing uniformity and a more predictable and coherent interface.

3. Resources-based:

May not strictly organize resources in a resource-oriented manner. This makes it challenging for developers to understand the hierarchy and relationships between different endpoints.

RESTful API organizes resources clearly and consistently, making understanding and navigating the API structure easier.

4. Client-Server Architecture:

REST API Adheres to the client-server architecture but may not strictly separate concerns between the client and server.

In contrast, RESTful API enforces a clear separation between the clients and server, promoting scalability and flexibility in system design.

5. Caching:

REST API might not emphasize the caching mechanism as a fundamental design principle. It doesn’t provide clear guidelines on caching tools, leading to inconsistent client caching practices.

RESTful API, on the other hand, recognizes the use of caching to improve performance and reduce the need for repeated requests.

In other words, this API defines caching strategies that leverage HTTP headers like ‘cache-control’ to improve performance and reduce redundant data retrieval.

Overall, while a REST API follows REST principles, a RESTful API moves further in adhering strictly to a more consistent, scalable, and well-designed API.

Why APIs are used in Most Organizations.

APIs help organizations improve significant parts of their business, causing them to grow in areas they never imagined. Why is this so?

API can be relied on for up-to-date information that most companies might be familiar with. Examples of businesses and individuals leveraging this tool include Estate agents.

These people need an API for location direction and dates using the Google Maps API. Let’s find out more reasons APIs are used in most organizations.

- To Scale Systems:

As your companies grow, you will need a system that meets the growing demands of your organization. If your business has grown to needing an API system, then it’s a good sign.

Improving your API system will help your engineers and developers work effortlessly, creating a design that fulfils your customers’ requests.

- To Automate Tasks:

Utilizing APIs helps organizations automate manual tasks like transferring data from one system to another or updating customers’ information.

An API can do much more than you imagine, pulling data from various sources and uploading it into multiple places. API can do all these tasks for you.

- To Build Mobile and Web Applications:

APIs play a massive role in developing mobile and web applications for businesses. The software enables mobile and web applications to integrate seamlessly with external systems and services, allowing them to manipulate and access data. It is also essential for organizations aiming to deploy their applications on mobile devices and web browsers.

- Innovation and Collaboration:

With API integrations, organizations can provide users with a more seamless experience. For instance, integrating social media APIs allows users to log in using credentials, improving the overall customer experience.

REST API vs RESTful API

In web app development, REST API and RESTful API are widely used, and the choice depends on the specific requirements of the projects. Our app developers in India often use RESTful APIs because they adhere to the REST principles.

It is preferred over the latter because it is represented in a standard format that promotes interoperability and simplifies client parsing. It also uses standard HTTP methods to perform CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete).

Final Thoughts

Conclusively, the differences between the two APIs are clear. But what matters most is choosing an API that perfectly suits your business goals and needs. So, you ask which one you should settle for.

Well, we have a team of professionals who will guide you on that path. Be a part of the business owners who are transforming their various industries on the global stage. Do not be found guessing.

Hidden Brains, a top web development company in India, can take the stress off you. Hire our app developers in India to discover how these APIs can affect your business growth positively.

FAQ

Do HTTP methods need RESTful APIs to function?

For CRUD (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) operations on resources, RESTful APIs use standard HTTP methods, which align with the statelessness and simplicity principles of REST.

Why might RESTful APIs be preferred in web app development?

RESTful APIs are preferred for their uniformity, simplicity, and adherence to the principles. They promote statelessness, resource identification, and effective use of standard HTTP methods.

Is REST API considered RESTful if it doesn’t meet all REST constraints?

Yes. REST API is broader and includes APIs following some REST principles, while RESTful API strictly adheres to the REST constraints.

How do RESTful APIs contribute to the simplicity of web app development?

RESTful APIs simplify development by providing a uniform approach to interactions, clear resource identification, and effective use of standard HTTP methods, making it easier for developers to work with the API