REST-based Protocol

A REST-based Protocol is a web application-layer network protocol that can support REST-based communication through resource-oriented interactions, HTTP method semantics, and stateless message exchanges.

• AKA: RESTful Protocol, REST API Protocol, REST-compliant Protocol.
• Context:
  • It can typically define Resource Representation Formats through media type specifications and content negotiation rules.
  • It can typically specify URI Structure Patterns through resource naming conventions and hierarchical path designs.
  • It can typically establish HTTP Method Semantics through CRUD operation mappings and idempotency requirements.
  • It can typically mandate Stateless Interaction Rules through self-contained requests and session-free communications.
  • It can typically provide Error Response Standards through HTTP status codes and problem detail formats.
  • ...
  • It can often implement Authentication Mechanisms through OAuth flows and API key schemes.
  • It can often define Versioning Strategys through URI versioning patterns and header-based versions.
  • It can often specify Rate Limiting Rules through quota enforcements and throttling mechanisms.
  • It can often establish HATEOAS Requirements through link relation types and hypermedia formats.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Simple REST-based Protocol to being a Complex REST-based Protocol, depending on its REST-based protocol feature completeness.
  • It can range from being a Domain-Specific REST-based Protocol to being a General-Purpose REST-based Protocol, depending on its REST-based protocol application scope.
  • ...
  • It can build upon HTTP/1.1 Protocol for request-response transport.
  • It can utilize JSON Schema for data validation rules.
  • It can incorporate OpenAPI Specification for protocol documentation.
  • It can leverage JSON-LD Format for linked data representation.
  • It can integrate with WebDAV Protocol for distributed authoring extensions.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Document Management REST-based Protocols, such as:
    • WOPI Protocol for web-based document editing.
    • CMIS REST Protocol for content management interoperability.
    • Google Drive REST Protocol for cloud storage operations.
  • Cloud Service REST-based Protocols, such as:
    • AWS S3 REST Protocol for object storage services.
    • Azure Storage REST Protocol for Microsoft cloud storage.
    • OpenStack Swift REST Protocol for distributed object storage.
  • Collaboration REST-based Protocols, such as:
    • CalDAV Protocol for calendar data exchange.
    • CardDAV Protocol for contact data synchronization.
    • Microsoft Graph REST Protocol for Microsoft 365 service access.
  • Data Exchange REST-based Protocols, such as:
    • OData Protocol for standardized data querying.
    • JSON:API Protocol for JSON-based API standards.
    • HAL Protocol for hypertext application language.
  • Domain-Specific REST-based Protocols, such as:
    • FHIR REST Protocol for healthcare data exchange.
    • OpenBanking REST Protocol for financial service APIs.
    • SCIM Protocol for identity management operations.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • SOAP Protocol, which uses XML-based envelope structures rather than REST-based resource interactions.
  • GraphQL Protocol, which employs query language syntax rather than REST-based endpoint mappings.
  • gRPC Protocol, which utilizes protocol buffer serialization rather than REST-based text formats.
  • WebSocket Protocol, which maintains persistent bidirectional connections rather than REST-based stateless exchanges.
  • AMQP Protocol, which provides message queuing semantics rather than REST-based resource operations.
• See: REST-based Distributed-System Pattern, RESTful API, Web API Protocol, HTTP-based Protocol, Resource-Oriented Architecture, API Design Standard, Web Service Protocol.

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