What Is REST API?
A REST (Representational State Transfer) API is a web service that follows REST architectural principles, using standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to perform operations on resources identified by URLs. It is the most common API architecture for web applications.
An API architecture style that uses standard HTTP methods to create, read, update, and delete resources.
REST APIs are the standard way modern web applications communicate. When you use a SaaS application, its REST API enables other software to perform the same operations programmatically — creating records, fetching data, updating settings, and deleting items.
REST APIs use HTTP methods that map to CRUD operations: GET (read data), POST (create new data), PUT/PATCH (update existing data), and DELETE (remove data). Each resource has a URL endpoint, like /api/contacts/12345 to access a specific contact.
For automation users, REST APIs are what connectors are built on top of. When a connector offers the action "Create Contact," it's making a POST request to the application's REST API behind the scenes. The connector abstracts away the HTTP details.
Most automation platforms include a generic HTTP/REST connector for integrating with any application that has an API, even if there's no dedicated pre-built connector. This gives you unlimited integration possibilities with any web service.
Related Terms
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of protocols that allows different software applications to communicate and share data with each other.
Webhook
An automated message sent from one application to another when a specific event occurs.
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
A lightweight data format used for transmitting structured data between applications and APIs.
Connector
A pre-built integration module that enables an automation platform to communicate with a specific application or service.
More Integration & APIs Terms
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