Define in details about the types of Rest API ?

Overview

REST (Representational State Transfer) APIs follow specific principles and can be categorized by their HTTP methods, resource design, and architectural patterns.

HTTP Method Types

REST API Maturity Levels (Richardson Model)

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Level 0 — Plain Old XML / JSON over HTTP (one endpoint)
Level 1 — Resources (multiple endpoints: /users, /posts)
Level 2 — HTTP Verbs (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE properly used)
Level 3 — Hypermedia Controls (HATEOAS — responses include links)

Level 0 (One endpoint)

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POST /api?action=getUser&id=1
POST /api?action=createUser

Level 2 (Proper REST)

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GET    /users          → Get all users
GET    /users/1        → Get user 1
POST   /users          → Create user
PUT    /users/1        → Replace user 1
PATCH  /users/1        → Update part of user 1
DELETE /users/1        → Delete user 1

Level 3 (HATEOAS)

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{
  "id": 1,
  "name": "Alice",
  "_links": {
    "self": {"href": "/users/1"},
    "orders": {"href": "/users/1/orders"},
    "delete": {"href": "/users/1", "method": "DELETE"}
  }
}

API Authentication Types

x-api-key: abc123

Authorization: Bearer <token>

REST API Response Types

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// 1. Single resource
{"id": 1, "name": "Alice"}

// 2. Collection
[{"id": 1, "name": "Alice"}, {"id": 2, "name": "Bob"}]

// 3. Paginated
{
  "data": [...],
  "page": 1,
  "perPage": 20,
  "total": 150,
  "nextPage": "/users?page=2"
}

// 4. Error response
{"error": "NOT_FOUND", "message": "User not found", "statusCode": 404}

REST vs GraphQL vs gRPC

REST API Best Practices

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✅ Use nouns for resources (/users, not /getUsers)
✅ Use HTTP methods correctly (GET to read, POST to create)
✅ Return appropriate HTTP status codes
✅ Use plural resource names (/users, /orders)
✅ Version your API (/v1/users, /v2/users)
✅ Use pagination for lists
✅ Use HTTPS always
❌ Never use verbs in endpoints (/getUser, /deletePost)

Standard REST patterns:

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GET /resources

(list),

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GET /resources/{id}

(single),

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POST /resources

(create),

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PUT /resources/{id}

(replace),

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PATCH /resources/{id}

(update),

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DELETE /resources/{id}

(delete).