API vs REST API: Simple Guide with Clear Differences and Examples
· 11 min read
An API is an interface that lets software communicate by defining how to make requests and receive responses. A REST API is a specific kind of API that follows REST principles over HTTP—using methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE to work with resources. All REST APIs are APIs, but not all APIs are REST.
Confused? Don't worry. In this post, you'll learn everything about the API and REST API domain—from core concepts and key differences to how REST+JSON became the web's standard. We'll explore why REST APIs dominate today's development landscape, compare different backend service models, and finally show you how to build your own APIs in practice using Codehooks.io.