What is pagination in API responses?

Pagination in API responses refers to the practice of dividing a large dataset into smaller, manageable chunks. This approach is particularly important when dealing with extensive data, as it allows clients to retrieve a subset of results at a time rather than overwhelming the system and the client with a massive payload. By implementing pagination, APIs can enhance performance and user experience while also reducing the load on both the server and the client-side applications.

When an API response includes pagination, it typically provides information such as the current page, total number of pages, and links to retrieve the next or previous sets of data. This structured access helps to maintain efficient data retrieval and processing, ensuring that applications can handle large datasets effectively without sacrificing performance.