> If you are told an api is restful there’s an expectation of how it will behave.
And today, for most people in most situations, that expectation doesn’t include anything to do with HATEOAS.
Re:Most RESTful APIs Aren't RESTful
by incrudible on Thursday July 10, 2025 @08:49AM
(#44520421)
Words derive their meaning from the context in which they are (not) used, which is not fixed and often changes over time.
Few people actually use the word RESTful anymore, they talk about REST APIs, and what they mean is almost certainly very far from what Roy had in mind decades ago.
People generally do not refer to all smartphones as iPhones, but if they did, that would literally change the meaning of the word. Examples: Zipper, cellophane, escalator… all specific brands that became ordinary words.
Because words have specific meanings. There’s a specific expectation when using them. It’s like if someone said “I can’t install this app on my iPhone” but then they have an android phone. They are similar in that they’re both smartphones and overall behave and look similar, but they’re still different.
If you are told an api is restful there’s an expectation of how it will behave.