In which format is data commonly exchanged in REST APIs?

Data is commonly exchanged in REST APIs using JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) due to its lightweight nature and ease of use. JSON is specifically designed to be easy for both humans to read and write, and for machines to parse and generate. This simplicity makes it an ideal choice for web services, where quick data exchange and minimal overhead are crucial.

In contrast to other formats, JSON supports a variety of data types, such as strings, numbers, arrays, and objects, allowing for complex structured data to be represented effectively. Additionally, its compatibility with JavaScript makes it particularly advantageous when building web applications, as it can be seamlessly integrated into client-side scripts.

While XML is another format used in data exchange, its verbosity and complexity compared to JSON can lead to greater bandwidth usage and slower processing times. CSV is primarily used for tabular data and may not support complex data structures as effectively as JSON. HTML, on the other hand, is meant for presenting data rather than exchanging it, making it less suitable for API communication. Therefore, the choice of JSON in REST APIs aligns perfectly with the needs for efficient and structured data interchange.