*REST* is the acronym for *RE*presentational *S*tate *T*ransfer, and is a term coined by Roy Fielding [1] in a dissertation attempting to describe formally the Web architectural style. The argument is that the HTTP methods (GET, POST, etc.) define a limited set of *verbs* that can be applied to an (in principle) infinite number of *nouns* (URIs). This design has some beneficial effects: It allows simpler interoperation between otherwise uncoordinated agents (web clients, servers, spiders, etc.) The HTTP semantics constitutes a coordination language general enough to be of use in any desired communication pattern. Its methods make it akin to message passing or function calling protocols. Offering a service is a simple as publishing a URL. [1] Roy Fielding's Ph.D. dissertation "_Architectural Styles and the Design of Network-based Software Architectures_"