Hire a REST Developer

Representational State Transfer, also known as REST, is a set of principles that describe how data can be accessed and transmitted between devices, apps, and services. Although it doesn’t specify if any particular technology is required to access these resources, several best practices are outlined to help smoothly execute this approach.

Read on to learn why you should hire a REST developer that can help your organization leverage the benefits of implementing this software.  

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Benefits of Hiring a REST Developer

RESTful APIs can be developed using programming languages like JavaScript or Python. Many APIs incorporate the principles of REST architecture to expose data in a way that’s easy to integrate into other applications. Simplicity is one of the many benefits of using REST API.

Below are several other advantages to hiring a REST developer and leveraging REST API.

Scalability

Scalability distinguishes REST architecture and is a driving factor behind its popularity. Thanks to client-server separation, it’s even easier to hire a REST developer or development team to grow a product.

Portability and Flexibility

With the requirement that data from one of the requests be correctly supplied, it is simple to migrate from one server to another or make modifications to the database at any moment. As a result, the front and back ends may be housed on separate servers, which provides considerable management benefits.

Independence

Separating client and server allows autonomous project development. Furthermore, the REST API adjusts to the working syntax and platform at all times, enabling REST engineers to utilize numerous environments while creating APIs.

Lightweight

REST APIs are format agnostic, utilizing HTTP. Thus, you can use XML, JSON, HTML, etc. This makes REST APIs quick and lightweight, which is needed to develop mobile apps, IoT devices, and other applications.

Uniformity

REST engineers follow standards while establishing a REST API. All APIs provide a consistent interface, and all REST APIs share this client-service contract interface. This is important because developers using APIs need global concepts to communicate.

Layered System

Every REST-enabled component cannot access other components. A client that connects to an intermediate component doesn’t know who it will interact with afterward. This pushes REST engineers and API developers to create easy-to-upgrade components.

FAQs About Hiring REST Developers

What does a REST engineer do?

REST developers can implement REST in several ways since REST isn't a protocol or standard; it's a set of architectural restrictions. A REST/RESTful APIs developer can construct APIs that meet consumer needs while maintaining REST principles. They create, deploy, and manage RESTful APIs and downstream communication.

What is the difference between API and REST API?

API is an abbreviation for "application program interface." It's a standard way of engaging with someone else's service. REST is an acronym that stands for representational state transfer. REST is just a design pattern for creating APIs, and it's a typical pattern used for identifying resources provided by a service.

How can High5 help me hire a REST developer?

High5 takes the challenge out of hiring. Our team is highly-experienced, and we know what it takes to hire a REST developer that is an expert in the field. How do we do it? First, we get to know your company to gain an understanding of your needs, and then we'll pair you with a selection of carefully screened and pre-vetted REST engineers and other full stack developers.

Contact High5 to get started today!

Guide to Hiring a REST Developer

Today, businesses need to provide their customers with access to various services using standard protocols and technologies. This is exactly where the importance of the RESTful API design comes into play. REST is an acronym that stands for REpresentational State Transfer. It is a straightforward set of principles for making web services by establishing an interface that allows end-users the ability to access data or functionality from an application.

 REST doesn’t provide a method for accessing these resources; rather, it provides software development best practices. Many APIs employ REST architecture to offer data in an easy-to-integrate method. This article will teach you how to hire a REST developer to take advantage of this set of development principles.

What exactly is an API?

An application programming interface—or an API—is a set of protocols that give developers access to the data and functions of a software program or website. REST engineers can use APIs to create new programs, or they can use them to build on an existing software program. 

Basically, an API enables you to communicate with a computer or system so it can comprehend and fulfill your request. An API is a mediator between users/clients and the resources/web services they seek. An organization can share resources and information while still preserving security, control, and authentication.
 

So, what is REST?

REST isn’t a protocol or standard; it’s a set of architectural restrictions. You can hire a REST developer to implement REST in several ways. A RESTful API conveys a resource’s state to the requester or endpoint when a client requests it. This information is sent through HTTP as JSON, HTML, XLT, Python, PHP, or plain text. Despite its name, JSON is language-agnostic and usable by people and machines.

RESTful APIs meet the following criteria:
 
  • Client–Server: This restriction means that the client and server are developed separately.
  • Stateless: REST APIs are stateless, meaning each request may be made separately and includes all relevant data.
  • Cache: A stateless API might maximize request overhead by processing massive loads of inbound and outgoing requests. Hence a REST API should promote caching.
  • Uniform Interface: The key to decoupling client and server is a uniform interface that permits independent application growth without closely attaching application services, models, and actions to the API layer.
  • Layered System: REST API’s layered design helps construct a scalable and modular solution.
  • Code on Demand: This constraint enables application code or applets to be delivered through API.

Why should I hire a REST developer?

REST is known to be fast, flexible, scalable, and adaptable. Other benefits of hiring a REST engineer to create REST applications include the following:

  1. All data formats are supported.
    In certain APIs, data formats are restricted. RESTful APIs support all forms.
  2. It is web browser friendly.
    In RESTful APIs, you may submit an HTTP request, get JSON data, and parse it for client applications. These APIs may be easily added to your website.
  3. It consumes less bandwidth.
    RESTful APIs consume less bandwidth, thanks to JSON. Only JSON-based web APIs are affected. An XML-based web API will have the same content whether it’s RESTful or not.
  4. It can be reused.
    Most models are modifiable and usable.
  5. It is developer-friendly.
    RESTful APIs utilize HTTP. These APIs can be developed in Python, JavaScript, Ruby, C#, and other languages, making them easy to use.

Issues with hiring a REST developer

Hiring a REST developer can be difficult. The engineer may know fundamental application/API development technology but not industry-level applications and use cases. Without training, HTTP methods and client-side requests are challenging.

Engineers sometimes struggle with REST if they are not knowledgeable about or experienced in the set of principles. Ineffective state management or API versioning may damage the end result. Companies should focus on hiring experienced REST engineers to work on REST applications.

Responsibilities of a REST engineer

Are you ready to hire a REST developer? Here are a few typical responsibilities of a REST engineer:

  • Build and test REST web services and APIs
  • Lead API development and code quality
  • Research and provide services based on API development
  • Communicate project improvement suggestions
  • Develop middleware applications
  • Understand business needs with product managers and stakeholders
  • Integrate technology using RESTful practices
  • Follow industry best practices

Skills and qualifications to look for in a REST engineer

As with any developer, the role of the job and the specific position you are hiring for will impact the skills and qualifications you should look for in a developer. If you want to hire a REST developer, here are a few basic skills and qualifications to be on the lookout for:

  • Experience developing REST API/services
  • Experience with creating secure and efficient client and server-side code
  • Large-scale, n-tier, distributed system design experience
  • Request and HTTP experience
  • JSON/XML knowledge
  • Experience with OOPS design patterns and principles

Interview questions for a REST engineer

Q. What characteristics should REST API testing include?

A. API testing must include access and authorization checks. Checking the HTTP data transmission method status is essential, as well. Methods with timeouts should be indicated. Developers must be able to fix incorrect code.

Q. Why REST over SOAP?

A. Engineers favor REST over SOAP for data transport. REST lets you connect directly with URLs containing resources. SOAP requires accessing a service, which then accesses the URL and resource.

Q. How do you create a REST web/service or API?

A. REST doesn’t generate server-side sessions. Hence client-side activities are required. To guarantee authentication, use SSL and TLS.

Final Words on Hiring a REST Engineer

Hiring for any position can be challenging, especially when you have a full plate of responsibilities. Hiring for a technology-based role such as a REST engineer can be even more complicated because it requires a basic understanding of REST development.

If you are ready to hire a REST engineer and want to take an easier route, reach out to High5. Here at High5, we make hiring easy by pre-vetting our pool of REST developers and matching your company to a full stack developer that best fits your priorities. Ready to start adding talented people to your team? Contact us today.

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