REST

REST (Representational State Transfer) is a web service architecture that allows applications to communicate using HTTP requests. It is widely used for APIs due to its simplicity, scalability, and stateless nature.

Key Features of REST:

• Stateless Communication: Each request is independent

• Uniform Interface: Consistent and predictable API interactions

• Scalability: Works efficiently for large-scale applications

• Resource-Based Structure: Uses URLs to access resources

• Supports Multiple Formats: Works with JSON, XML, etc.

Best Use Cases for REST:

• Web and mobile app backends for reliable data exchange

• Microservices architecture using RESTful APIs

• Third-party integrations with external services

• E-commerce platforms for payment and order management

• IoT applications requiring structured communication

Lightweight PHP frameworks such as Fat-Free are often used to build RESTful APIs where simplicity, performance, and minimal overhead are priorities.