REST API basics

Overview

If you’re getting started with REST APIs, understanding how to make requests, test responses, and work with variables is essential. This template walks you through the basics of CRUD operations—Create, Read, Update, Delete—using a sample REST API in Postman.

Whether you’re new to APIs or brushing up on fundamentals, this collection gives you hands-on experience with the workflows behind most RESTful services, including internal APIs, backend services, and public endpoints.

🔍 What is a REST API?

A REST API (Representational State Transfer) is a web-based architecture that uses HTTP to manage and interact with resources. It typically exposes endpoints via URLs, and uses standard methods like:

• GET to retrieve data

• POST to create new records

• PUT or PATCH to update

• DELETE to remove records

REST APIs are used across everything from internal systems to public APIs—making them foundational to modern software development.

What does the REST API basics template contain?

• A collection of CRUD-based requests (Create, Read, Update, Delete)

• Test scripts for validating response status codes and body content

• A base URL variable to simplify switching environments

• In-line documentation to explain request methods and expected responses

It’s fully customizable—so you can point it to your own API or use it as a starting point for teaching or onboarding.

How to use the REST API basics template

• Fork the collection into your workspace

• Explore each request to see how CRUD operations are structured

• Send each request and review the test scripts to understand what’s being validated

• Update the base URL to point to your own API if you’d like to test it directly

• Modify and extend the collection with your own endpoints or data scenarios

This is a great resource to share with new teammates, QA engineers, or anyone who wants a working example of how REST APIs behave in a real-world workflow.