Avoiding verbs in URLs in Rest API - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

Why should URLs avoid verbs in REST APIs?

URLs should avoid verbs because REST APIs use HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to express actions. URLs represent resources (nouns), making APIs clearer and easier to understand.

beginner

What is a good example of a URL avoiding verbs?

A good URL example is /users/123 to access user data. The action is defined by the HTTP method, like GET to retrieve or DELETE to remove the user.

beginner

What is wrong with this URL: /getUser/123?

It includes a verb 'get' in the URL, which is redundant because the HTTP GET method already means 'retrieve'. This breaks REST principles and can confuse API users.

intermediate

How do HTTP methods relate to avoiding verbs in URLs?

HTTP methods define the action on a resource: GET retrieves, POST creates, PUT updates, DELETE removes. This means URLs only need to name resources, not actions.

intermediate

Give an example of a RESTful URL and HTTP method to update a product.

Use URL /products/456 with HTTP PUT method. The URL identifies the product resource, and PUT tells the server to update it.

Which part of a REST API URL should you avoid?

A Nouns like 'users' or 'products'

B Verbs like 'get' or 'update'

C Resource IDs like '123'

D Query parameters

Verbs in URLs are redundant because HTTP methods already define actions.

What HTTP method is used to delete a resource?

A DELETE

B GET

C POST

D PUT

DELETE method tells the server to remove the specified resource.

Which URL is more RESTful?

A /createUser

B /deleteUser/123

C /updateUser/123

D /users

The URL '/users' represents the resource; actions are handled by HTTP methods.

How do you update a user with ID 789 in a REST API?

A GET /users/789/update

B POST /updateUser/789

C PUT /users/789

D DELETE /users/789

Use PUT method on the resource URL to update it.

Why is '/getOrders' a bad URL in REST?

A It uses a verb 'get' which is redundant

B It lacks a resource ID

C It uses a noun instead of a verb

D It uses the wrong HTTP method

The verb 'get' is redundant because HTTP GET method already means retrieve.

Explain why REST API URLs should avoid verbs and how HTTP methods relate to this.

Think about how you tell a friend what to do using verbs versus naming things.

Describe a RESTful way to design a URL and HTTP method for deleting a product with ID 101.

Focus on naming the thing and using the right HTTP method for the action.