WEB API
What is an API?
First, let’s see what APIs are, API stands for Application Programming Interface that can integrate two parts of an application or any different applications together. API is a way to programmatically interact with a separate software component or resource. It consists of different type elements such as functions, protocols, and tools that enable developers to construct applications.
What is Web API?
Web API is a type of interface accessed over the internet using the HTTP protocol. Basically, Web API is a web development concept. It is limited to the client-side of the web application and does not contain web server or web browser details. The Web API defines a set of endpoints, request messages and response structures. It supports response media types like XML, JSON etc. Web API supports Restful applications and uses GET, PUT, POST, DELETE verbs for client communications.
Why we use Web APIs?
- It does not require tedious configuration and easy to create and consume.
- Development using Web API itself makes a separation from UI Development.
- It is a lightweight architecture and is good for devices, which have limited bandwidth like smartphones.
- These RESTful Web APIs are accessible by a variety of HTTP clients.
- It supports MVC features such as filter, action results, model binders, controllers.
- It uses low bandwidth.
Popular Web APIs
- Google Maps API: Google Maps APIs allows developers to use Google Maps on Webpages.
- Facebook API: Facebook API allows developers to display Facebook info on Webpages.
- YouTube API: YouTube API allows developers to display youtube videos on Webpages.
- Twitter API: Twitter API allows developers to display Tweets on Webpages.
Limitations of Web APIs
- Some custom actions not available in Web API
- Can’t retrieve unpublished metadata
- As a single point of entry, an API is a gateway and can become a hacker’s primary target.
- The latency of the request processing depends on network speed.
Thank you!