REST APIs & HTTP Vocabulary
Backend interviews almost always include API design questions. Know how to discuss them in English.
Core HTTP Methods
| Method | Usage | Sentence |
|---|
| GET | Retrieve data | "We use GET to fetch the user profile." |
| POST | Create resource | "POST is used to create a new order." |
| PUT/PATCH | Update resource | "PATCH updates only the changed fields." |
| DELETE | Remove resource | "DELETE removes the record permanently." |
Key REST Concepts
- endpoint — a specific URL that handles a request
- payload — the data sent in the request body
- response — the data returned by the server
- status code — HTTP code indicating the result (200, 404, 500...)
- idempotent — same request produces the same result every time
Useful Phrases
- "The endpoint accepts a JSON payload with..."
- "We return a 201 status code when a resource is created."
- "PUT is idempotent, while POST is not."
- "We version our API to avoid breaking changes."