REST stands for “Representational State Transfer” and is an architectural style for the development of network-based applications. It is particularly effective for building web services and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that are easy to understand, implement and use.
REST uses standardized HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.) and is stateless. This means that each request is treated independently of others.
Advantages of REST in an industrial context
REST has become very popular in an industrial context due to the following advantages:
- Simplicity and flexibility: REST uses standard HTTP methods and is therefore easy to understand and implement. It enables flexible communication between different systems and platforms.
- Lightweight: Since REST is stateless and uses simple text messages for communication, it is resource-saving and efficient in data transmission.
- Scalability: REST is highly scalable, making it ideal for large, distributed systems that are common in industry.
REST in the factory
In the industrial environment, REST is a standard for API communication. It enables the simple integration of different systems and applications. REST APIs are often used for the remote monitoring and control of production facilities, the collection and analysis of operating data and the integration of company and production systems.
i-flow and REST – Seamless integration in the factory
The combination of i-flow and REST offers a powerful solution for the data infrastructure in the factory. i-flow can serve as an interface to harmonize heterogeneous data from production systems and make it available to IT systems via REST APIs. This enables the seamless integration of production and company data, which helps to increase efficiency and improve the traceability of product and process data. REST ensures flexible and efficient data transfer.