CI/CD vs REST
CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) and REST (Representational State Transfer) both come up in technology conversations and get confused. Here's the plain-English difference, side by side, so you can use each one with confidence.
The key difference: CI/CD refers to continuous integration/continuous deployment, while REST refers to representational state transfer — they describe different things even when they show up in the same sentence.
CI/CD — Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment
Development practices that automate building, testing, and deploying code changes frequently and reliably.
REST — Representational State Transfer
An architectural style for designing networked applications using stateless, client-server communication.
When to use CI/CD
Reach for "CI/CD" when the conversation is specifically about continuous integration/continuous deployment. Development practices that automate building, testing, and deploying code changes frequently and reliably.
When to use REST
Reach for "REST" when the conversation is specifically about representational state transfer. An architectural style for designing networked applications using stateless, client-server communication.
FAQs
What is the difference between CI/CD and REST?
CI/CD stands for Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment — Development practices that automate building, testing, and deploying code changes frequently and reliably. REST stands for Representational State Transfer — An architectural style for designing networked applications using stateless, client-server communication.
Are CI/CD and REST the same thing?
No. They're often used in the same conversation because they're related, but they describe different concepts. CI/CD = Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment. REST = Representational State Transfer.
When should I use CI/CD vs REST?
Use CI/CD when you're specifically referring to continuous integration/continuous deployment. Use REST when the topic is representational state transfer.