FC0-U71 Software Development Concepts Practice Question
A REST API is used by a mobile app to retrieve data. The API returns responses in a specific format. Which THREE of the following are typical characteristics of a REST API?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common misconception in the CompTIA ITF+ exam is that REST APIs must use JSON exclusively, but while JSON is common, REST can return data in any format (e.g., XML, HTML, plain text) as long as it adheres to REST constraints.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Is stateless between requests
REST APIs are stateless by design, meaning each request from a client to the server must contain all the information needed to understand and process the request. The server does not store any client context between requests, which improves scalability and reliability. This statelessness is a core constraint of the REST architectural style, as defined by Roy Fielding in his doctoral dissertation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Uses SOAP for message exchange
Why it's wrong here
SOAP is a different protocol, not characteristic of REST.
- ✗
Maintains server-side session state
Why it's wrong here
REST APIs are stateless; no session state is stored on the server.
- ✓
Is stateless between requests
Why this is correct
Statelessness is a key constraint of REST.
- ✓
Returns data in JSON format
Why this is correct
JSON is a common data format for REST APIs.
- ✓
Uses HTTP methods like GET and POST
Why this is correct
REST APIs rely on HTTP methods for operations.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This FC0-U71 question is part of Courseiva's 988-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on FC0-U71
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A mobile app developer wants to integrate weather data into an app. The developer uses an HTTP request to a web service that returns JSON data. The web service requires an API key in the request header for authentication. What is this web service an example of?
medium- A.GraphQL API
- B.WebSocket
- ✓ C.REST API
- D.SOAP API
Why C: This web service is a REST API because it uses HTTP requests to access and manipulate resources, returns data in JSON format, and requires an API key in the request header for authentication. REST APIs are stateless and rely on standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, etc.), making them ideal for integrating external data like weather information into mobile apps.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.