Feature | REST | OData |
---|---|---|
Definition | Architectural style for web services | A protocol based on REST for querying and updating data |
Standardization | Not strictly standardized | Fully standardized (by OASIS and ISO) |
Query Support | Limited or custom | Rich query support via URL options ($filter , $select , etc.) |
Metadata | Not provided by default | Automatically exposes metadata ($metadata ) |
Data Format | Typically JSON or XML | Supports JSON and Atom (XML) |
CRUD Operations | Uses HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) | Uses same HTTP methods with structured rules |
Relationship Handling | Requires custom implementation | Built-in support for entity relationships |
Use Case | Flexible, generic API design | Structured data-centric APIs, often used in enterprise apps |