Restful call in Java

java

restful-api

http-client

error-handling

byNikita Barsukov·Mar 5, 2025

Accomplish a RESTful call using Java's HttpClient for sending requests and processing responses.

HttpClient client = HttpClient.newHttpClient();
HttpRequest request = HttpRequest.newBuilder()
        .uri(URI.create("http://example.com/resource"))
        .GET() // Switch to .POST(), .PUT(), etc. depending on what you're cooking up
        .build();
HttpResponse<String> response = client.send(request, HttpResponse.BodyHandlers.ofString());
System.out.println(response.body()); // Voila! The magical response

This concise code snippet offers a quick way to create an HTTP request, dispatch it, and echo the response.

Picking the best tool for the job

RESTful calls in Java can be leveraged with numerous libraries, each with its unique standout features. Let's get to know them a bit better.

OkHttp is like a swift athlete, known for its efficiency and ease of use in making HTTP requests.
Jersey and RESTEasy are buddies who follow the JAX-RS rules to create RESTful web services.
Restlet stands out for its semantic prowess and robust framework.
RestTemplate is the life of the Spring party, providing a high-level client interface for RESTful interactions.
Last but not least, the reliable and sturdy Apache HttpClient would win a survival of the fittest, being great for HTTP requests requiring precise control.

Dodging the pitfalls: Error handling and response parsing

Decode status codes from an HttpResponse to differentiate between successful moon landings or crash landings.
Shape-shift the stream from your response into a string or an object for further data interrogation.

Smoothing out GET requests

Tailor your GET requests by constructing a smart URL with the right parameters.
Leverage libraries to manage the underlying connection, freeing up your effort for parameter tuning and data processing.

Popping the question: interactive queries with POST

Dress up your URLConnection in post mode for initiating interactive dialogues.
Note: It's critical to ensure your courting manners i.e., the payload and content type when crafting the request are up to mark.

The beauty inside: Parsing and documentation

Transform the input stream into a meaningful object that truly represents the data for analysis.
Get comfortable with JavaDocs and references for RestTemplate when you want to explore their capabilities.

Keeping up with the industry: Guidance and examples

Stay on top of the game with up-to-date documentation and look for modern examples, such as in Jersey's Client API guide.
Be sure to validate example code and documentation for relevance and accuracy. Because outdated advice is a bigger troll than any you'll find on the internet.

explain-codes / Java / Restful call in Java

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