REST API Request Builder – Test HTTP Requests
The REST API Request Builder helps you build and test HTTP requests for REST APIs. This tool allows you to construct custom HTTP requests with different methods, headers, query parameters, and request bodies, making it perfect for API development, testing, and debugging.
Note: Many APIs block browser requests due to CORS policies. This tool works best with APIs that allow CORS or educational purposes.
Understanding REST APIs
REST (Representational State Transfer) APIs use HTTP methods to interact with resources. Understanding HTTP methods and request structure is essential for API development and integration.
HTTP Methods
- GET: Retrieve data from the server
- POST: Create new resources
- PUT: Update entire resources
- PATCH: Partially update resources
- DELETE: Remove resources
- HEAD: Get headers without body
- OPTIONS: Check allowed methods
Request Components
- URL: The API endpoint
- Headers: Metadata like Content-Type, Authorization
- Query Parameters: URL parameters for filtering/searching
- Body: Data sent with POST, PUT, PATCH requests
CORS Considerations
Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) policies may prevent browser-based requests. For production API testing, consider using:
- Dedicated API testing tools (Postman, Insomnia)
- Server-side proxies
- Browser extensions with CORS bypass
Conclusion
The REST API Request Builder provides a convenient way to construct and test HTTP requests, though CORS limitations may affect some APIs. Use this tool for learning API concepts and testing APIs that support CORS.