How do APIs work?
APIs can work in a multitude of ways depending on the purpose and the point at which they were created.
How do APIs work?
API architecture can be best explained in terms of 'the client' and 'the server'. The application sending the request is called the client whilst the application sending the response is called the server. The API itself is essentially a set of defined rules that dictate how two communicate with one another.
The following is a summary of how the interaction works.
Request -
A client application sends a request to the API endpoint.
The request includes the HTTP method, headers, parameters and an optional body.
Processing -
The API server receives and processes the request according to the defined rules.
It might interact with databases, perform computations or communicate with other services.
Response -
The API server sends a response back to the client.
The response includes a status code (e.g. 404 for not found) and usually a body containing the requested data or a message.
Common APIs
REST APIs
These are the most popular and flexible APIs found on the web today. The client sends requests to the server as data. The server uses this client input to start internal functions and sends back output data to the client.
APIs are essential tools for building interconnected software ecosystems, driving innovation, enhancing functionality, and enabling seamless integration between diverse systems and platforms, the type of API you need depends on your current environment and your objectives. Get in touch today and we can help you identify which type of API suits your specific requirements.
SOAP APIs
SOAP APIs use Simple Object Access Protocol. The client and server exchange messages using XML. This is not the most flexible API and thus, isn't as popular today as it was in the past.
RPC APIs
RPC APIs are otherwise known as Remote Procedure Calls. The client completes a function on the server, and the server sends the output back to the client.
Websocket APIs
Websocket API is a modern web API development that uses JSON objects to move data. A WebSocket API supports two-way communication between client applications and the server. The server can send callback messages to connected clients, making it more efficient than REST API.
Further Reading
What is an API?
Do I need an API?
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