(Java API for RESTful Web Services

)The Java API for RESTful Web Services (JAX-RS) is a set of Java APIs that enables developers to build RESTful web services. REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style used for building distributed hypermedia systems. It is a lightweight alternative to SOAP-based web services that use XML as the payload format.

JAX-RS provides a set of annotations and APIs that simplify the creation of RESTful web services. With JAX-RS, developers can define resource classes that represent the resources exposed by the web service. These resource classes are annotated with HTTP methods (such as GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and URIs that map to the resource.

JAX-RS also provides support for content negotiation, which allows clients to request data in different formats (such as XML, JSON, or plain text). It also supports exception handling, caching, and security.

JAX-RS is part of the Java EE platform and is included in Java EE 7 and later versions. It can also be used in standalone Java applications with the help of a JAX-RS implementation such as Jersey, Resteasy, or CXF.

Overall, JAX-RS provides a powerful and flexible API for building RESTful web services in Java. It simplifies the development process and enables developers to focus on the business logic of their applications rather than the low-level details of the web service protocol.