
What is an API?

REST APIs vs. SOAP APIs
The different types of APIs
- Open API: Also known as a Public API, this describes publicly available APIs. Access is open to all API developers and users on the internet.
- Partner API: Unlike Public APIs, Partner APIs are not open to everyone. Developers need to be granted access to these APIs, which typically involves some sort of authentication workflow.
- Private API: Also known as an Internal API, this category of API is restricted for use inside an organization only and is not available on the public internet. Private APIs typically exist to enhance employee workflows or share data amongst on-premise hardware.
- Composite API: This type of API combines multiple APIs' different services and data into a single call. These APIs are seen as especially efficient for accomplishing multiple tasks at once.
Important API terminology
- API Key: An API key is a unique code passed between systems to authenticate the system making the API request.
- Endpoint: The systems involved in an API transaction on each end are known as the endpoints.
- JSON: JavaScript Object Notion (JSON) is a language and data format used for APIs to exchange data via web services.
- GET: GET is part of the HTTP protocol and is a method that is used to request data from a server.
- POST: POST is a method in the HTTP protocol used to send data to a server. It is used to create or update information on the server.
- OAuth: OAuth is an authorization framework for APIs. It provides secure access to data to be used by third-party without the use of a password.
- Latency: The time between processing an API request and sending the response is known as latency.
- Rate Limiting: Rate limiting is the process of controlling the flow of incoming and outgoing traffic. It is typically defined by the number of requests an API server will handle at one time.
- API Throttling: Rate limiting controls the usage of APIs at the network level. Whereas rate limiting concerns the number of requests an API will answer in a specific time frame, API throttling shapes network traffic to ensure peak performance.
Important features in API design
Authentication and authorization
Wrappers
Error handling
Validation
Testing
Common challenges when building APIs
API Documentation
Versioning
Governance policies
API orchestration
Security
Solutions for building your best APIs
Craft a development methodology
Utilize an API management platform
- API deployment: API management platforms ease the process of deploying an API and act as an API gateway, simplifying the development and management process.
- Security: API management platforms ensure compliance with security policies and regulations. They are also useful for spotting problems that might expose data. API management platforms also allow you to control access to your code and other digital resources tightly.
- Automation: API management saves development time, offering developers templates and the ability to automate API creation. Having all of your APIs together in one place gives you a library of sorts to see if code or functions already exist in your current APIs.
- Reporting and analytics: APIs will typically log requests and responses, but humans do not easily read log files. Most API platforms will derive reports and usage analytics from those logs. From there, you can track which APIs are popular and diagnose any shortcomings.
Discover API development best practices with Codal

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