In this unit we focus on the principles of RESTful API design, a crucial topic for system architecture interviews. Interview questions often test your understanding of REST principles, how to design and implement RESTful APIs, and the challenges associated with them. Typical questions might include:

• What are the core principles of RESTful API design?
• Can you describe the difference between REST and SOAP APIs?
• How do you handle authentication and authorization in RESTful services?

These questions assess your familiarity with REST concepts and your practical experience in designing and implementing APIs.

To answer questions about RESTful API design effectively, you should understand the following key principles and why they matter:

Core Principles of REST:

• Statelessness:

  • Definition: Each request from the client to the server must contain all the information needed to understand and process the request.
  • Why It Matters: This ensures that the server does not store any state between methods, enhancing scalability and simplicity.

• Client-Server Architecture:

  • Definition: Separation of concerns between the client and the server. The client handles the user interface, while the server manages and processes data.
  • Why It Matters: It allows for independent evolution and scalability of both client and server applications.

• Uniform Interface:

  • Definition: A consistent way to interact with resources in a RESTful system. This includes methodologies such as resource identifications through URLs, standard methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE), and self-descriptive messages.
  • Why It Matters: Simplifies the architecture, increasing the overall simplicity and visibility of interactions.