3.6: REST
Provide REST interfaces Other Information:
REST [REST] provides an architecture to create Web applications, using standards like HTTP and XML. Basically, a "resource"
is associated to a URI that can be used to access or modify its information following certain design principles [REST-PRI].
Under this paradigm, a Web site can publish a set of URLs that provide a real programmer's API that 3rd parties can use to
build applications that extend the site's capabilities - perhaps by mixing several different sites. This model is highly suitable
for the development of mashup applications and can also provide data in open raw formats as the following example shows. The
Seniors Canada Online Web site currently provides such interfaces to perform searches on their databases - for instance, on
leisure and sports information [CA-REST1] and also more sophisticated database-query-like services, such as all keywords starting
with letter 'L' in french language [CA-REST2]. Other agencies could use this API to publish the information - perhaps mixing
several sites and putting the data on a map on the Web. The World Bank API [TWB-API], allows to tap into indicators from data
sources like World Development and Governance Indicators.
Indicator(s):
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