ODATA是一种特殊的REST，我们可以从URL统一地查询数据。

OData (Open Data Protocol) is an OASIS standard that defines the best practice for building and consuming RESTful APIs. OData helps you focus on your business logic while building RESTful APIs without having to worry about the approaches to define request and response headers, status codes, HTTP methods, URL conventions, media types, payload formats and query options etc. OData also guides you about tracking changes, defining functions/actions for reusable procedures and sending asynchronous/batch requests etc. Additionally, OData provides facility for extension to fulfil any custom needs of your RESTful APIs. OData RESTful APIs are easy to consume. The OData metadata, a machine-readable description of the data model of the APIs, enables the creation of powerful generic client proxies and tools. Some of them can help you interact with OData even without knowing anything about the protocol. The following 6 steps demonstrate 6 interesting scenarios of OData consumption across different programming platforms. But if you are a non-developer and would like to simply play with OData, XOData is the best start for you.

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ODATA是一种特殊的REST，我们可以从URL统一地查询数据。

来自OData文档:

OData协议是一种应用程序级协议，用于通过RESTful web服务与数据交互。 .．. OData协议不同于其他基于rest的web服务方法，因为它提供了一种统一的方式来描述数据和数据模型。

REST代表具象状态传输，这是一种基于资源的架构风格。基于资源意味着数据和功能被视为资源。

OData是一个基于web的协议，它定义了一组构建和使用rest式web服务的最佳实践。OData是一种创建REST式web服务的方法，是REST的实现。

OData协议构建在AtomPub协议之上。AtomPub协议是REST API设计的最佳示例之一。所以，在某种意义上你是对的——OData只是另一个REST API，每个OData实现都是一个REST web服务。

不同之处在于OData是一个特定的协议;REST是体系结构风格和设计模式。