Difference Between RESTful API and REST API Explained

Are you familiar with RESTful API and REST API? While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are important distinctions that developers need to understand. APIs are integral to modern development, with up to 90% of developers use APIs in some capacity from integrating third-party services, and accessing external data sources, to enhancing application functionality.

In this article, we will delve into the key differences between RESTful API and REST API and explore their impact on web service development. Understanding these differences is crucial for designing efficient, scalable, and maintainable APIs. 

Understanding APIs and Web Services

APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, act as a mediator between two applications, allowing them to interact and exchange data. They provide a set of protocols and rules that govern the communication between different software components.

Businesses that use APIs are 24% more likely to be profitable than those that don’t, as APIs enable seamless integration of services, streamline operations, and enhance customer experiences by providing more versatile and efficient solutions.

There are different types of APIs, including web APIs, local APIs, and program APIs. Web APIs, such as SOAP and REST, are commonly used in custom web development to enable communication between web applications.

The Different Types of APIs:

1. Web APIs: These APIs are specifically designed for communication over the internet. They enable web applications to interact with each other by providing access to certain functionalities or data. Web APIs are further categorized into SOAP and REST.
2. Local APIs: Local APIs are primarily used for communication between applications on the same device or within the same network. These APIs facilitate the exchange of data and functionalities between different software components.
3. Program APIs: Program APIs, also known as library APIs, allow developers to utilize pre-built functions and methods within a programming language. These APIs provide a convenient way to leverage existing code and functionalities, saving time and effort in the development process.

SOAP and REST APIs:

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) and REST (Representational State Transfer) are two commonly used web APIs. Both these APIs enable communication between web applications but have different architectural styles and protocols.

• SOAP API: SOAP is a protocol for exchanging structured information in web services. It uses XML for message formatting and relies on the HTTP protocol for communication. SOAP APIs are commonly used in enterprise-level applications that require complex operations and support for advanced security mechanisms.
• REST API: REST, on the other hand, is an architectural style that uses standard HTTP methods, such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE, for communication. REST APIs are lightweight, simple, and widely adopted in modern web development. They are known for their scalability, flexibility, and support for multiple data formats, such as JSON (JavaScript Object Notation).

Comparison between SOAP and REST APIs:

Feature	SOAP API	REST API
Protocol	Uses the SOAP protocol	Uses the HTTP protocol
Message Format	Uses XML	Supports multiple formats, such as JSON
Complexity	Can handle complex operations and advanced security	Simple and lightweight
Scalability	May have limitations in scalability	Designed for scalability
Flexibility	Less flexible compared to REST	Highly flexible and versatile

 

Understanding the different types of APIs and their characteristics is crucial for selecting the most suitable approach for web service development. Whether you choose SOAP or REST, it’s important to consider factors such as complexity, scalability, and compatibility with your existing systems.

Exploring REST API

The REST API (Representational State Transfer API) is an architectural style guiding communication between web applications and servers. It follows a set of rules to ensure seamless interaction and data exchange using HTTP methods such as GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE to manage CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete) for web services.

A defining characteristic of REST API is its statelessness, meaning each client request contains all the information needed for the server to process it, eliminating the need to store session data. This simplicity, scalability, and ease of integration make REST a popular choice, with 93.4% of API developers using this approach.

REST API uses uniform resource identifiers (URIs) to identify and access resources, helping developers organize and structure their APIs effectively. JSON is commonly used as the data format, providing a lightweight and flexible way to represent and transmit data.

Overall, REST API offers a standardized approach to web service development, leveraging HTTP methods, statelessness, URIs, and JSON to enable efficient and scalable communication between web applications and servers.

Understanding RESTful API

A RESTful API is an API that adheres to the principles of the REST architectural style. It uses standard HTTP methods like GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE to perform CRUD operations, promoting compatibility and ease of implementation across various programming languages and frameworks.

RESTful APIs are valued for their simplicity and scalability. Their stateless nature ensures that each client request includes all necessary information for the server to process it, enabling efficient and independent communication. This scalability brings companies on average 3 x higher Return on Investment (ROI) by allowing efficient handling of increased user loads, reducing downtime, and optimizing resource usage.

RESTful web services also use uniform resource identifiers (URIs) to access resources, providing a standardized method for addressing resources. This consistency makes it easier for developers and clients to understand and interact with the API.

In summary, RESTful APIs offer a robust and standardized approach to web service development. By following REST principles and using standard HTTP methods, developers can build scalable and interoperable systems that integrate easily with various frameworks and programming languages.

Advantages of REST API

REST API offers several advantages in web service development. Its lightweight and flexible architecture makes it suitable for any platform or language, ensuring easy integration into existing systems. 

Widely adopted and supported by modern programming languages and frameworks, REST API provides a simple, standardized approach to accessing resources over the internet, enhancing efficiency and interoperability.

Key advantages include:

• Lightweight: Not resource-intensive, allowing for faster communication and improved performance. Slow image loading causes 39% of users to lose interest and move on highlighting the importance of efficient data handling and quick response times to maintain user engagement and satisfaction.
• Flexible: Enables customization and adaptability to meet specific requirements and evolving business needs.
• Widely adopted: Supported by most modern programming languages and frameworks, making it easy to leverage.
• Standardized: Uses consistent HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) that align with CRUD operations.

Advantages of RESTful API

RESTful API, being a standardized implementation of the REST architecture, offers several advantages:

• Standardized Implementation: RESTful API follows the principles of the REST architecture, providing a standardized approach to web service development. This makes it easier for developers to understand and implement.
• Uniform Interface: RESTful API provides a consistent and uniform interface for accessing resources. This simplifies the development process and allows for seamless integration of different systems.
• Caching: RESTful API supports caching, which can improve performance by storing frequently accessed resources on the client side. This reduces the number of requests sent to the server and speeds up the overall response time. Research shows that nearly 50% of customers will not visit a website again if they’ve experienced slow loading times in the past, emphasizing the critical need for optimized performance to retain users and enhance their experience.
• Support for Multiple Data Formats: RESTful API supports multiple data formats, including XML and JSON. This flexibility allows developers to choose the most suitable format for their application and ensures compatibility with various client devices.

Difference Between REST API and RESTful API

In web development, REST API and RESTful API are often used interchangeably, but they have key differences in structure, design, protocol support, uniform interface, and scalability.

• REST API (Representational State Transfer API) follows REST principles, focusing on structure and design. It uses HTTP methods (GET, PUT, POST, DELETE) for CRUD operations, providing standardized guidelines for building efficient and scalable APIs.
• RESTful API adheres to REST principles and meets specific requirements. It includes additional protocols, supports multiple data formats, and offers a uniform interface for easier integration with various systems and languages. It’s designed for scalability, handling increased traffic and data volumes without major modifications.

Comparison	REST API	RESTful API
Structure and Design	Focuses on structure and design guidelines	Follows REST principles, includes protocols, supports multiple data formats
Protocol Support	Uses HTTP methods for CRUD operations	Provides a standardized approach with support for various protocols
Uniform Interface	N/A	Offers a uniform interface for accessing resources
Scalability	Designed with scalability in mind	Allows for growth and expansion of web applications

Conclusion

RESTful API and REST API are two popular choices in web development. RESTful API adheres to the REST architectural principles, offering a standardized implementation, while REST API focuses on the API’s structure and design.

Understanding their differences is crucial for informed decision-making in web service development. RESTful API ensures compatibility and ease of integration, whereas REST API provides flexibility in design.

Choosing between them depends on project requirements, such as scalability, ease of implementation, and control over API design. Considering these factors will help you create web services that deliver optimal performance and an exceptional user experience.

For expert assistance with your web development needs, check out Flatirons’ Custom Web Development service. Our team of experienced developers can help you navigate the complexities of API design, ensuring that your web services are efficient, scalable, and tailored to your specific requirements.

FAQs

What is the difference between RESTful API and REST API?

RESTful API and REST API are two types of APIs commonly used in web development. While they are often used interchangeably, RESTful API follows the principles of the REST architectural style and provides a standardized implementation, while REST API focuses on the structure and design of the API.

What is an API?

API stands for Application Programming Interface. It acts as a mediator between two applications, allowing them to interact and exchange data. APIs provide a set of protocols and rules that govern the communication between different software components.

What are web services?

Web services are software systems designed to enable communication between different applications over networks, such as the Internet. They utilize APIs, such as REST API and SOAP, to facilitate this communication.

How does REST API work?

REST API uses HTTP methods, such as GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE, to manage CRUD operations. It is stateless, meaning that each request from the client contains all the necessary information for the server to process the request. REST API also uses a uniform resource identifier (URI) to identify and access resources.

What are the advantages of RESTful API?

RESTful API provides a uniform interface for accessing resources, simplifying the development process. It supports caching, which can improve performance by reducing the number of requests sent to the server. RESTful API also supports multiple data formats, such as XML and JSON, allowing for flexibility in data representation.

Which is better for web service development, RESTful API or REST API?

The choice between RESTful API and REST API depends on the specific requirements of your web application. RESTful API offers a standardized implementation and additional features, while REST API is more flexible and easier to implement on any platform or language. Consider the specific needs of your project to determine which approach is best.