What is a common use of REST services in Mendix?

REST services in Mendix are primarily used for connecting with external web services. This is important because REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style designed specifically for distributing between systems over the web. In the context of Mendix, utilizing REST services allows applications to communicate seamlessly with third-party applications, APIs, or services that expose data and functionality over HTTP.

By integrating these external web services, Mendix applications can leverage additional data and logic that may not be natively available within the Mendix environment. This enables developers to extend the capabilities of their applications, incorporate external data sources, and support complex business processes that require interaction with diverse systems.

In contrast, the other options reflect functions that are not typically associated with the use of REST services. For example, creating user interfaces is primarily handled within the Mendix modeler using built-in tools for user interface design rather than through REST services. Improving performance of internal queries pertains more to database optimization strategies rather than external web service interactions. Automating application updates does not specifically relate to REST services, as updates are generally managed through the Mendix development and deployment processes.