REST, which is an acronym for Representational State Transfer, is an
architectural style utilized by networked systems, such as the Web, to
access resources. As a REST system, the Web is composed of
resources. When the representation of a resource is returned to
a Web client, the client transfers to a state. Upon each new
resource request, client state is changed (transfers). REST
systems can use Web standards, such as HTTP, URL, HTML, JSON, and mime
types to expose and utilize resources as a Web
services. REST Web services provide access to resources via
a uniform indicator (URI) and an HTTP GET request.
Input parameters used to interact with a resource are
provided using a set of argument/value pairs in the URI. REST Web
services are characterized by stateless interaction, cachable content, and a
uniform interface of named resources.
The ArcGIS Server REST API adheres to REST Web service
characteristics. ArcGIS Server services are exposed as resources for
stateless interaction. The REST API can be utilized by
both ESRI (e.g. ArcGIS Server JavaScript API) and non-ESRI clients
(clients who are not using an ESRI product). In both
situations, REST API interaction is the same. As a result, a
standalone REST API help system is available for ESRI and
non-ESRI clients. The REST API help system includes ArcGIS Server
service type discussions and a detailed library reference - and can be
found in the following locations:
- The REST API is available on the ArcGIS Server Resource Center for all developers with Internet access.
- Each ArcGIS Server instance configured for use with ArcGIS Server includes the REST API. When installing ArcGIS Server with the Web Applications option (default), an ArcGIS instance will be configured with a Web server and include the REST API. If installed on a Web server using the default instance name (ArcGIS) the REST API will be available at http://<servername>/ArcGIS/SDK/REST.
- When installing the Web ADF with the integrated help option, the REST API documentation is included in <ArcGIS Install Location>\DeveloperKit\Help\REST. Program menu item links to the REST help system will point to this location on disk.