HATEOAS
A REST constraint in which a representation exposes links or controls that tell a client which state transitions are currently available.
Technical Context
HATEOAS is not merely adding arbitrary URLs to JSON. The links must encode meaningful application affordances so the client can navigate state without hard-coding every transition. It trades payload and design complexity for looser coupling at the protocol level.
Related Concepts
- REST
- hypermedia
- API design
- representation