JSON API vs REST: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this section, we will discuss the key differences between JSON API and REST in terms of implementation and functionality. Both JSON API and REST are widely used for building web services, but they have distinct features that set them apart from each other.

1. Error Handling: JSON API provides a standardized approach for handling errors by using a dedicated error object within the response payload. It includes standardized error codes, error messages, and links to related resources for better error resolution. On the other hand, REST does not have a standardized way of handling errors, leaving the implementation up to developers, which can lead to inconsistency and lack of clarity in error responses.

2. Payload Efficiency: JSON API minimizes the payload size by allowing clients to request specific fields only, reducing the network traffic and improving performance. It achieves this through the use of sparse fieldsets and inclusion of related resources when needed. In contrast, REST typically returns the entire resource representation, including all its attributes and relationships, which can result in unnecessary data transfer.

3. Server-driven Responses: JSON API promotes a server-driven approach where the server defines the structure and layout of the responses. It provides a clear structure for returning related resources and includes resource linkage information, enabling clients to easily navigate through the API. REST, on the other hand, relies on the client to discover and navigate resources through hyperlinks, leading to a more client-driven architecture.

4. Bulk Operations: JSON API includes support for bulk operations, allowing clients to perform multiple create, update, or delete actions in a single request. It provides a standardized way of sending bulk data and defines how the server should handle these requests. REST does not have a standardized approach for bulk operations, leaving it to developers to define custom endpoints or methods for handling bulk requests.

5. Caching: JSON API includes a built-in cache control mechanism using cache headers and etags. It allows clients to cache responses and make conditional requests to the server, reducing the load on the server and improving performance. REST does not have a standardized caching mechanism and leaves it up to developers to implement caching strategies.

6. Sorting and Filtering: JSON API provides standardized parameters for sorting and filtering resources, allowing clients to specify sorting criteria and filter conditions directly in the request URL. It defines a clear syntax for expressing sorting and filtering operations, promoting consistency across different API implementations. In contrast, REST does not have a standardized approach for sorting and filtering, leaving it to developers to define their own query parameters or URL conventions.

In summary, JSON API provides standardized error handling, minimizes payload size, promotes server-driven responses, supports bulk operations, includes caching mechanisms, and defines standardized parameters for sorting and filtering. REST, on the other hand, lacks these standardized features and leaves the implementation up to developers.