REST vs SDK
REST (Representational State Transfer) and SDK (Software Development Kit (deep)) 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: REST refers to representational state transfer, while SDK refers to software development kit (deep) — they describe different things even when they show up in the same sentence.
REST — Representational State Transfer
An architectural style for designing networked applications using stateless, client-server communication.
SDK — Software Development Kit (deep)
A bundle of libraries, code samples, and documentation that lets developers build on top of a platform or service.
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.
When to use SDK
Reach for "SDK" when the conversation is specifically about software development kit (deep). A bundle of libraries, code samples, and documentation that lets developers build on top of a platform or service.
FAQs
What is the difference between REST and SDK?
REST stands for Representational State Transfer — An architectural style for designing networked applications using stateless, client-server communication. SDK stands for Software Development Kit (deep) — A bundle of libraries, code samples, and documentation that lets developers build on top of a platform or service.
Are REST and SDK the same thing?
No. They're often used in the same conversation because they're related, but they describe different concepts. REST = Representational State Transfer. SDK = Software Development Kit (deep).
When should I use REST vs SDK?
Use REST when you're specifically referring to representational state transfer. Use SDK when the topic is software development kit (deep).