> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://bcds.gitbook.io/learn/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://bcds.gitbook.io/learn/tutorials/rest-api.md).

# ¶ REST API

**API:** Application Programming Interface “An API is a set of definitions and protocols for building and integrating application software.”

**REST API:** “Representational State Transfer API”

**API** is basically a set of functions and procedures that allow one application to access the features of other applications, **REST** is an architectural style for networking applications on the web. It is limited to client-server based applications. REST is a set of rules or guidelines to build a web API. \
There are many ways to build a web API, and REST is a standard way that will help in building it faster and also for third-parties to understand it better.