We've spent a few chapters discussing and building applications using the ArcGIS API for JavaScript. We've used different API tools to communicate with ArcGIS Server about its map services. But how does the API communicate with ArcGIS Server?

In this chapter, we'll focus on ArcGIS Server. We'll look at how it implements a REST interface. We'll review the ArcGIS REST API, outlined at http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/arcgis-rest-api/#/The_ArcGIS_REST_API/02r300000054000000/. This describes the file structure and the format of the data that passes between the server and the browser. Finally, we'll extend the application from the previous chapter by changing the popup highlighted symbols.

What is REST? REST stands for Representational State Transfer. It's a software architecture that focuses on the interface between server and client using a hypermedia environment. It limits the actions that can be performed between the client and the server, but provides enough...