How does pagination typically work in API requests?

Pagination in API requests is a crucial mechanism that helps manage and control the volume of data returned in response to a query. By limiting the number of items per request, it helps ensure that responses are not overwhelming and can be processed efficiently by both the client and server.

In typical usage, when an API supports pagination, it provides a way to request a specific subset of data rather than retrieving all available records in a single response. This is especially important when dealing with large datasets where returning all data at once could lead to excessive loading times, high memory consumption, and potential timeouts.

The pagination process often involves parameters like "limit" or "page," which define how many entries to return and which specific segment of the dataset the request pertains to. This allows clients to make multiple requests to retrieve the entire dataset in manageable chunks, promoting better performance and resource utilization.

Other options discuss aspects of data handling but do not relate specifically to how pagination functions. For instance, returning data for the current session is more about user context than managing data volumes, providing summaries does not facilitate retrieval but rather presents information, and searching for specific keywords pertains to filtering data rather than breaking it into pages for easier navigation.