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<sect1 id="zend.rest.introduction">
    <title>Introduction</title>

    <para>
        REST Web Services use service-specific <acronym>XML</acronym> formats. These ad-hoc
        standards mean that the manner for accessing a REST web service is
        different for each service. REST web services typically use <acronym>URL</acronym>
        parameters (<constant>GET</constant> data) or path information for requesting data and POST
        data for sending data.
    </para>

    <para>
        Zend Framework provides both Client and Server capabilities, which,
        when used together allow for a much more "local" interface experience
        via virtual object property access. The Server component features
        automatic exposition of functions and classes using a meaningful and
        simple <acronym>XML</acronym> format. When accessing these services using the Client, it is
        possible to easily retrieve the return data from the remote call. Should
        you wish to use the client with a non-Zend_Rest_Server based service, it
        will still provide easier data access.
    </para>

    <para>
        In addition to <classname>Zend_Rest_Server</classname> and
        <classname>Zend_Rest_Client</classname> components, <link
            linkend="zend.controller.router.routes.rest"><classname>Zend_Rest_Route</classname> and
            <classname>Zend_Rest_Controller</classname></link> classes are provided to aid routing
        REST requests to controllers.
    </para>
</sect1>
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