How are CRUD operations characterized in a RESTful API?

• A. Always stateless
• B. Always stateful
• C. Only applicable to mobile applications
• D. Only require JSON format

Answer: (A)

CRUD operations in a RESTful API are characterized as always stateless, which is fundamental to the REST architectural style. Statelessness means that each request from a client to the server must contain all the information that the server needs to fulfill that request. The server does not store any client context between requests. This design principle allows for more scalability, as it simplifies server design and enables more efficient use of resources.

By being stateless, every interaction is treated as an independent transaction, which means that the server can process requests without needing to remember previous interactions. This aligns with the principles of REST, where it is essential for services to be independent so that they can be scaled horizontally. Statelessness also helps in load balancing and enhances the reliability of applications because it eliminates session-specific issues.

In contrast to this, stateful communications would involve the server retaining information about the client’s previous requests, which can lead to increased complexity and decreased scalability. The other choices presented do not align with the fundamental characteristics of RESTful APIs, as they do not encapsulate the key principles that define how CRUD operations should be implemented within this architectural style.