HTTPSREST

HTTPSREST refers to the practice of implementing RESTful web services over the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS). It describes delivering REST APIs through the secure, encrypted transport provided by TLS, while applying REST architectural constraints such as resource identification via URIs, stateless client-server interactions, and the use of standard HTTP methods and status codes.

In an HTTPSREST design, resources are addressed by URLs, and clients interact with these resources using the standard HTTP verbs (for example, GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE). Messages typically use JSON or XML payloads, with responses indicated by conventional HTTP status codes. Content negotiation, caching, and versioning are commonly employed to improve interoperability and performance. Authentication and authorization are usually performed over HTTPS, with OAuth 2.0, JWTs, API keys, or similar mechanisms, ensuring that credentials are protected in transit.

Security is the central feature of HTTPSREST. TLS encryption ensures confidentiality and integrity of data in transit and authenticates server identity via digital certificates. This helps protect against eavesdropping and tampering, while optional client authentication and security headers (such as HSTS) can strengthen defenses.

Although widely adopted, HTTPSREST is not a formal standard in itself; it is the conventional combination of RESTful API design with the transport security provided by HTTPS. It aligns with REST constraints and HTTP semantics while leveraging secure transport to protect data and verify endpoints in distributed systems. Typical applications include public APIs, microservice communication, and web-based integrations.