What is API (Application Programming Interface) ?
APIs are software intermediaries that allow different applications to communicate with each other. APIs provide a set of protocols, routines, and tools for building software applications. They specify how software components should interact, making it easier for developers to create applications that can integrate with other systems.
The architecture of an API (Application Programming Interface) is typically described as a client-server model. The client is the application that initiates the request and the server is the application that responds to the request. For example, weather app, the server would be the bureau’s weather database which provides the requested data, and the client would be the mobile app which sends the request for weather information. This model helps to ensure that the communication between the client and server is consistent and efficient. Additionally, it allows for greater flexibility in terms of how the client and server interact with one another, as well as how they are designed and implemented. Overall, the client-server model is a fundamental concept in API architecture and is essential for creating effective and reliable APIs.
There are four different ways that APIs
SOAP APIs
APIs use Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and that the client and server exchange messages using XML. SOAP is a protocol for exchanging structured information in the implementation of web services. XML is a markup language used for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. SOAP is a less flexible API that was more popular in the past, suggesting that newer APIs may offer more flexibility.
RPC APIs
APIs that allow a client to complete a function or procedure on a server is Remote Procedure Calls. This means that the client sends a request to the server to execute a specific function or procedure, and the server processes the request and sends the output back to the client. This type of communication allows for distributed computing, where different parts of an application can be run on different servers. Remote Procedure Calls are commonly used in web development, where a client-side application needs to retrieve data from a server-side database or perform other server-side operations.
Websocket APIs
Web Service API refers to a software interface that enables communication between a web server and web browser. It allows different applications to interact with each other over the internet. It is important to note that all web services are APIs, but not all APIs are web services.
A REST API is a specific type of Web API that adheres to the standard architectural style explained above. REST stands for Representational State Transfer, and it is a set of guidelines for creating web services that are scalable, flexible, and easy to maintain. REST APIs use HTTP requests to get or send data and can be used with any programming language. They are widely used in modern web development and are considered a crucial component of many web applications.
REST APIs
REST APIs are popular and flexible tools used on the web. They work by the client sending requests to the server, which then uses this input to perform internal functions and send output data back to the client.
REST is short for Representational State Transfer and it defines functions such as GET, PUT, and DELETE that clients can use to access server data through HTTP. The key feature of REST API is statelessness, meaning that servers do not store client data between requests. Client requests are similar to URLs typed in a browser, and the server’s response is plain data without any graphical rendering.
API GATEWAY
