REST

An architectural style for HTTP APIs where resources are addressed by URLs and manipulated with standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).

In practice: Widely used but widely misunderstood — most self-described 'REST APIs' are just HTTP APIs; true REST includes constraints (like hypermedia) that most implementations skip.

Debated: REST vs. GraphQL vs. RPC is a genuinely contested design choice depending on who the API is for, how data requirements vary across clients, and how much you care about caching.

• alternative to GraphQL
• builds on Webhook