REST API Development Handbook

Dive into the essential world of REST APIs with this comprehensive handbook by Alex R. D. Morgan. Whether you're a beginner eager to learn how applications communicate or a seasoned developer looking to refine your skills, this guide covers the full API lifecycle-from foundational concepts like HTTP methods and status codes to advanced topics such as versioning, scaling, and security with OAuth and JWT.
Structured as a hands-on workshop, the book walks you through building your first API using Node.js/Express or Python/Flask, testing it manually with tools like Postman and automatically in CI/CD pipelines, consuming public APIs (e.g., Twitter, GitHub), and documenting them effectively with OpenAPI/Swagger. You'll explore best practices for error handling, performance optimization, and comparing REST to alternatives like GraphQL and gRPC.
Packed with code examples, practical exercises, and real-world projects, this book empowers beginners, junior developers, testers, and tech enthusiasts to create scalable, secure APIs and showcase them in portfolios. Perfect for self-learners and professionals alike, it's your roadmap to mastering REST in modern software development. Published in 2025, this educational resource ensures you're ready for API-first trends and emerging tech.