REST APIs with Flask and Python - REST Principles

The video introduces REST principles, focusing on HTTP methods like GET and POST. It explains REST APIs as a way of thinking about web server interactions, emphasizing resource-based requests similar to object-oriented programming. The concept of statelessness is discussed, highlighting that each request is independent. Examples illustrate how servers handle requests without retaining state, using databases to verify data. Authentication is covered, showing how unique data is used to maintain user sessions. The video concludes with a preview of implementing a REST API.

What is the primary purpose of a GET request in HTTP?

• To retrieve data from a server

• To update existing data

• To delete data from a server

• To create new data on a server

In REST APIs, what is a 'resource'?

• A way to store server state

• A type of HTTP method

• A programming language

• A representation of data or an object

How does RESTful interaction compare to object-oriented programming?

• Both involve thinking in terms of objects or resources

• Both focus on functions rather than data

• Both are unrelated concepts

• Both involve procedural programming

What happens when a POST request is made to create a new resource?

• The server creates a new resource and stores it

• The server deletes an existing resource

• The server updates an existing resource

• The server retrieves an existing resource

Which HTTP method is used to update an existing resource in a REST API?

• DELETE

• PUT

• POST

• GET

What does it mean for a REST API to be stateless?

• Each request is independent and does not rely on previous requests

• The server maintains a session for each user

• Requests are processed in batches

• The server stores user data permanently

Why is it important for a web application to send unique data with each request in a stateless REST API?

• To simplify the code

• To increase data redundancy

• To reduce server load

• To ensure the server can identify the user