REST vs. API: Unraveling the Misnomer

Article

Introduction

The term "REST API" is commonly used in digital communication, yet it often misrepresents the concept envisioned by its creator, Roy Fielding. This article will explore why the term "REST API" is misleading, clarify the differences between APIs and REST, and discuss the impact of this misunderstanding in web communication.

REST Overview

REST, or Representational State Transfer, is an architectural style developed by Roy Fielding in his dissertation. It outlines principles for creating scalable, efficient, and resilient web communication systems. These principles include stateless communication, client-server separation, cacheability, layered system architecture, and a uniform interface. Each principle plays a crucial role in the design of effective web systems, ensuring modularity, flexibility, and consistency.

What Is an API

APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, are sets of rules that allow different software applications to interact. They provide a structured way for developers to access functionalities of an application, focusing on facilitating communication between different software components.

Common Misconceptions

The issue with the term "REST API" arises from the difference between REST as a design philosophy and the practical implementation of APIs. While REST sets a framework for efficient communication systems, many APIs do not fully adhere to these principles. Common deviations include stateful interactions and inconsistent interfaces, which can compromise system scalability and interoperability.

Implications

Misusing the term "REST API" has several consequences. It can dilute the original intent of REST, leading to confusion and less effective communication systems. Additionally, equating REST with HTTP can limit the recognition of other suitable protocols, potentially hindering innovation in web communication.

How to Tell if Your API is Truly RESTful (Checklist)

Uniform interface: Well-defined resources (nouns) with standard methods (GET/POST/PUT/PATCH/DELETE).
Statelessness: No server session; every request is self-contained.
Cacheable: Correct HTTP caching headers; safe/idempotent methods respected.
Layered system: Clients need not know if they talk to origin, gateway, or intermediary.
HATEOAS (where applicable): Hypermedia links guide valid next actions.
Representations, not RPC: Avoid verb-heavy endpoints (e.g., /doThing); model resources and state transitions.
Content negotiation: Use media types (e.g., application/json) and respect Accept/Content-Type.

Modern Alternatives: When REST Isn’t the Best Fit

Use GraphQL when clients need flexible querying to reduce over/under-fetching; consider gRPC for low-latency, strongly-typed service-to-service calls. For distributed, secure edges, see Decentralized & Edge API Management with Apigee Microgateway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is every API a REST API?

No. REST is just one architectural style for APIs. Many APIs use HTTP but don’t follow REST’s constraints—those are better described as HTTP APIs.

What’s the difference between REST and SOAP?

SOAP is a protocol with strict XML-based message structures, while REST is an architectural style relying on standard HTTP methods and flexible data formats like JSON.

When should I use GraphQL or gRPC instead of REST?

Use GraphQL when clients need flexible queries that reduce over-fetching. Choose gRPC for high-performance, low-latency service-to-service communication where strong typing matters.

How Taliferro Group Designs AI Dashboards

Building APIs and designing dashboards share the same foundation: clarity, scalability, and human-centered data delivery. Our process for AI dashboard design mirrors our approach to API architecture — every interaction should be intuitive, transparent, and performance‑driven.

Conclusion

The discrepancy between the concept of REST and the practical use of APIs leads to confusion and undermines the effectiveness of web communication systems. Recognizing and understanding the differences between API and REST is crucial for developing better communication paradigms and aligning with Fielding's vision for REST.

Tyrone Showers

Want this fixed on your site?

Tell us your URL and what feels slow. We’ll point to the first thing to fix.

Tell us what’s stuck Browse topics