what is rest api in simple terms

A REST API is an API that conforms to the design principles of the REST, or representational state transfer architectural style. REST APIs are sometimes referred to as RESTful APIs. An API, or application programming interface, is a set of rules that define how applications or devices can connect to and communicate with each other. REST APIs make the communication process with the server easier by giving us various HTTP request methods. The most commonly used methods are GET, POST, PATCH/PUT, and DELETE. REST APIs communicate via HTTP requests to perform standard database functions like creating, reading, updating, and deleting records within a resource. REST APIs are based on representational state transfer (REST), which is an architectural style and approach to communications often used in web services development. RESTful APIs are used by sites such as Amazon, Google, LinkedIn, and Twitter.