200-901 Understanding and Using APIs Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of understanding and using apis. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A DevOps engineer is designing a REST API for a custom network automation tool. Which principle is essential for a RESTful design?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use HTTP methods to perform CRUD operations on resources.
RESTful APIs are designed around resources, and HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH) directly map to CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete). This stateless, resource-oriented approach is a core principle of REST as defined by Roy Fielding's dissertation, enabling uniform interfaces and predictable interactions.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Maintain session state on the server between requests.
Why it's wrong here
REST requires statelessness; session state should be stored on the client.
✓
Use HTTP methods to perform CRUD operations on resources.
Why this is correct
This is a core REST principle, mapping operations to HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use a single URI for all operations with different method names.
Why it's wrong here
RESTful APIs use distinct URIs for resources, not a single URI with custom methods.
✗
Return XML responses by default for compatibility.
Why it's wrong here
REST does not mandate a specific format; JSON is common but not a principle.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that REST APIs can maintain server-side session state (like traditional web apps) or that a single URI with different method names is acceptable, confusing REST with RPC-style designs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, HTTP methods like GET (safe, idempotent), PUT (idempotent), and DELETE (idempotent) have specific semantics that REST leverages for cacheability and reliability. For example, a PUT request to /devices/{id} must replace the entire resource, while PATCH applies partial modifications; misusing these methods can break idempotency guarantees and confuse clients. In real-world network automation, a REST API for configuring switches would use GET /interfaces to list interfaces, PUT /interfaces/{id} to replace a configuration, and DELETE /interfaces/{id} to remove it, ensuring consistent behavior across tools.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Understanding and Using APIs — This question tests Understanding and Using APIs — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use HTTP methods to perform CRUD operations on resources. — RESTful APIs are designed around resources, and HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH) directly map to CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete). This stateless, resource-oriented approach is a core principle of REST as defined by Roy Fielding's dissertation, enabling uniform interfaces and predictable interactions.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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