Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
What is RESTful API
3.
Setup Java Development Kit (JDK)
4.
Setup Eclipse IDE
5.
Setup Apache Tomcat
6.
Setup Jersey Framework Libraries
7.
Frequently Asked Questions
7.1.
What is meant by RESTful services?
7.2.
What is a RESTful API example?
7.3.
What is REST API for beginner?
7.4.
What is RESTful API in Java?
7.5.
Why do we need RESTful web services?
8.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024

RESTful - Environment setup

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Introduction

A web API that adheres to the constraints of the REST architectural style and permits connectivity with RESTful online services is called a REST API, sometimes known as a RESTful API. 

In this blog, we'll discuss RESTful API.

What is RESTful API

REST API Definition: What are REST APIs (RESTful APIs)?

A client-server architecture known as a RESTful API uses stateless operations to access and modify data using HTTP requests. Representational State Transfer is the abbreviation for it. 

One of the critical prerequisites for a Restful architecture is that it has a client and server as its two main components. Clients ask the server for resources to carry out specific tasks. A system based on a RESTful API is stateless because each request made from the client to the server must include all the information required to comprehend the request and cannot use any context saved on the server. 

CRUD functionalities and the HTTP protocol are used, and the REST API is intended to define an endpoint for particular tasks (CRUD stands for Create, Read, Update, Delete). Based on CRUD functionality, HTTP specifies a range of request methods to select the desired action to be carried out for a specific resource—the following list of the HTTP protocols utilized while creating REST APIs.

  • POST: Provide data or make a resource generally.
     
  • GET : Retrieve a resource's index or specific resource
     
  • PUT: Resource creation or replacement
     
  • PATCH: Update or change a resource
     
  • DESTROY : eliminate a resource
rest

Setup Java Development Kit (JDK)

Representation of Resources

The most recent SDK version is available on Oracle's Java website at Java SE Downloads. The provided files contain installation instructions for JDK. Install the setup according to the instructions provided. Last but not least, add the environment variables PATH and JAVA HOME to the relevant directories that contain Java and Javac, often Java install dir/bin and java install dir.

If you are using Windows and have the JDK installed in C:\jdk1.7.0 75, you must add this line in the C:\autoexec.bat file.

set PATH = C:\jdk1.7.0_75\bin;%PATH% 
set JAVA_HOME = C:\jdk1.7.0_75

 

You might also right-click My Computer and choose PropertiesAdvanced, and Environment Variables on Windows NT/2000/XP. You would then press the OK button after updating the PATH value.

If you use the C Shell and the SDK is installed in /usr/local/jdk1.7.0 75 on Unix (Solaris, Linux, etc.), you would add the following to your .cshrc file.

setenv PATH /usr/local/jdk1.7.0_75/bin:$PATH 
setenv JAVA_HOME /usr/local/jdk1.7.0_75

 

If you use an IDE like Sun ONE Studio, IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, Borland JBuilder, or Borland JBuilder, build and run a simple application to ensure the IDE is aware of where your Java installation is. If not, complete the correct setup by following the IDE setup instructions.

Setup Eclipse IDE

Eclipse Installer 2022-09 R | Eclipse Packages

The Eclipse IDE was used to create each example in this course. Therefore, we would advise you to install Eclipse in its most recent version on your computer.

Download the most recent Eclipse binaries to install Eclipse IDE from the link. Unpack the binary distribution to a handy location after downloading the installation. For instance, in Windows, C:\Eclipse, or /usr/local/Eclipse on Linux/Unix, and then correctly define the PATH variable.

On a Windows computer, you may launch Eclipse by typing the following commands or just double-clicking eclipse.exe.

Good Resources Representation
%C:\eclipse\eclipse.exe

 

The following instructions can be used to launch Eclipse on a Unix (Solaris, Linux, etc.) machine: −

$/usr/local/eclipse/eclipse 

 

If everything is in order upon a successful setup, your screen should show the following result:

eclipse

Setup Apache Tomcat

Apache Tomcat

Tomcat's most recent version can be downloaded here. Unpack the binary distribution into a handy location after downloading the installation. Set the CATALINA_HOME environment variable to point to the installation locations, 

for instance in C:apache-tomcat-7.0.59 on Windows or /usr/local/apache-tomcat-7.0.59 on Linux/Unix. Read this if you are a beginner.

On a Windows computer, you can start Tomcat by typing the following commands or by simply double-clicking startup.bat.

%CATALINA_HOME%\bin\startup.bat

 

The following commands can be used to launch Tomcat on a Unix-based computer (Solaris, Linux, etc.):

$CATALINA_HOME/bin/startup.sh

 

When Tomcat has adequately started, you can use its built-in web apps by going to http://localhost:8080/.

The documentation provided on this page contains more details about setting up and operating Tomcat. The Tomcat website also has this information available− here

On a Windows computer, run the following instructions to stop Tomcat:

%CATALINA_HOME%\bin\shutdown 

 

To end Tomcat on a Unix (Solaris, Linux, etc.) machine, enter the following commands:

$CATALINA_HOME/bin/shutdown.sh 

 

Must Read Apache Server

Setup Jersey Framework Libraries

Setup Jersey Framework Libraries

If everything is in order, you can build up the Jersey framework at this point. The downloading and installation of the framework on your computer can be done in the following easy steps.

The next step to follow is to download the .zip file for Windows and the .tz file for Unix, depending on whether you want to install Jersey on Windows or Unix.

Click this link to download the most recent Jersey framework binaries: here

On Windows computer, you can download jaxrs-ri-2.17.zip, and when you unzip the downloaded file, it will show you the directory structure inside E:

Jaxrs-ri, as seen in the screenshot below, is Jaxrs-ri 2.17.

Setup Jersey Framework Libraries

The Jersey libraries can be found in the directories C:\jaxrs-ri-2.17\jaxrs-rilib and C:\jaxrs-ri-2.17\jaxrs-riext, respectively. Make sure your CLASSPATH variable is correctly set on this directory; otherwise, starting your program may encounter issues. The CLASSPATH does not need to be defined if you are using Eclipse because Eclipse will handle all of the settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is meant by RESTful services?

In essence, RESTful Web Services are Web Services constructed using the REST Architecture. The REST architecture treats everything as a resource. Due to their negligible weight, great scalability, and maintainability, RESTful web services are commonly used to build APIs for web-based applications.

What is a RESTful API example?

A record is created with a POST request, deleted with a DELETE request, and retrieved with a GET request via a REST API. Any HTTP method can be used to make calls to APIs. An effective REST API is comparable to a website that can be accessed through HTTP and is shown in a web browser.

What is REST API for beginner?

It is a standard that directs the creation of procedures that let us interact with information stored on web servers. This definition aims to help you grasp the fundamental function of REST APIs, even though it may not appear as sophisticated or "professional" as other definitions you may find online.

What is RESTful API in Java?

An API establishes the communication guidelines between these programs. The architectural design approach, Representational State Transfer (REST), is used to create distributed hypermedia systems. An API that complies with the restrictions of the REST architectural style is known as a REST API. A REST API can be made in Java in several methods.

Why do we need RESTful web services?

REST APIs offer a great lot of flexibility is one of its main benefits. REST can support a variety of call types, return diverse data formats, and even alter architecturally with the proper implementation of hypermedia because data is not linked to resources or functions.

Conclusion

Finally, you have reached the article's conclusion. Congratulations!! You gained knowledge of the RESTful - Environment setup in this blog. You now have mastery over RESTful - Environment setup.

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