[Owncloud] ownCloud API

[Evert Pot]

On Jun 28, 2012, at 5:57 PM, Michael Gapczynski wrote:

> On Thursday, June 28, 2012 05:29:09 PM Evert Pot wrote:
>> On Jun 28, 2012, at 5:17 PM, Michael Gapczynski wrote:
>>> There is no standard for a RESTful web API, but this does meet the general
>>> expectations. Not all REST APIs that I've encountered require you to
>>> communicate using XML, but some just use POST parameters. I think POST
>>> parameters are always easier than generating XML. Then again, I'm not
>>> quite
>>> sure what an 'exported' API is.
>> 
>> If you use POST parameters for any other purpose than creating new objects,
>> you cannot really call it a RESTful web api :) XML is certainly also not a
>> requirement, but you should send over the entire entity you're replacing
>> with PUT, or the entire entity you're creating with POST.
>> 
>> Developing a true REST api is definitely something you should look at
>> though. It's more up-front work, but it forces you to design the API really
>> well, which may result a much higher longevity.
>> 
>> Evert
> 
> Okay, I took a closer look at this IBM article [1] and I'll agree with you and 
> Klaas that it isn't quite a REST API.
> 
> I would like to point out that with this definition Twitter and Dropbox don't 
> have a true REST API, but are called REST APIs. I did use the Google Documents 
> List API for the Google Drive external storage and that appears to follow the 
> principles in the article. It was a little more difficult to use however in my 
> opinion.

I think the term REST is a bit used as a marketing vehicle.

I don't think true REST services are super easy to use, but they are very robust.
It will force you to think about API design that will last a very long time, and
can grow with you and your requirements.

Evert