title: What differentiates a REST web service from a RPC-like one?
body: <p>I have a web application that uses AJAX to grab JSON data from the server. It requires that the user first log in with their browser so that a cookie can be set. Only the <code>GET</code> and <code>POST</code> verbs are used, where <code>GET</code> is for retrieving data and <code>POST</code> is for any operation that modifies data.</p>
  
  <p>From what I understand, REST differs from the above method in that the user authentication information is sent with <strong>every</strong> request and the <code>PUT</code> and <code>DELETE</code> verbs are used as well.</p>
  
  <p>My question is, what benefits does a REST web service have over the RPC-like method, if the end point is only meant to be a user's browser? I can understand how REST is beneficial when the client is unknown, but when I'm only using jQuery ajax calls, are the benefits still worth it over an RPC-like method?</p>