Here's a table explaining the differences between Web API and REST API:
| Aspect | Web API | REST API |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | An API (Application Programming Interface) that is designed to be consumed by web applications over HTTP. It is a broad term encompassing various API styles. | A type of Web API that follows the principles of Representational State Transfer (REST) architecture. |
| Architectural Style | No specific architectural style is mandated, allowing for flexibility in design. | Adheres to the principles of REST, which is a specific architectural style for designing networked applications. |
| Endpoint Naming | Typically uses arbitrary endpoint names, often reflecting the server's internal structure. | Uses meaningful and standardized endpoint names that represent resources. |
| Data Format | Can support various data formats, including XML, JSON, and others, depending on the implementation. | Primarily uses JSON as the data format, but can also support XML and other formats. |
| Statelessness | May or may not be stateless, depending on the implementation. | Designed to be stateless, meaning each request from a client to the server must contain all the information needed to understand and process the request. |
| CRUD Operations | Supports CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations, but the implementation can vary. | Emphasizes CRUD operations, and each operation maps to an HTTP method (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) for working with resources. |
| Error Handling | Error handling approaches can differ based on the API implementation. | Utilizes standard HTTP status codes and error responses for consistent error handling. |
| Uniform Interface | No strict requirements for a uniform interface. | Follows a uniform interface with standardized HTTP methods and resource URIs. |
| State Management | May require server-side sessions or other mechanisms for state management. | Stateless design eliminates the need for server-side sessions, simplifying the architecture. |
| Scalability | Scalability depends on the specific design and architecture choices. | RESTful APIs can be highly scalable due to their statelessness and uniformity. |
It's important to note that all REST APIs are Web APIs, but not all Web APIs follow the principles of REST. REST is just one approach to designing Web APIs, and there are other styles like SOAP, GraphQL, and more.
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