You can use the REST API to access search resources on a remote machine in either of two formats: ZIP format or JSON format. The following table summarizes the differences between JSON format and ZIP format.
Format |
Input and output |
HTTP methods |
Best uses |
---|---|---|---|
JSON |
JSON content specified in command line or utility, or in JSON files. |
GET POST PUT PATCH |
Exporting configuration for viewing, or Configuring resources. |
ZIP |
In ZIP files that contain JSON files. |
GET POST |
Exporting configuration for backup and migration, or Configuring resources. |
ZIP and JSON format differ only in how they deliver configuration; in each format, the configuration itself is expressed identically, as JSON code.