Understanding API Fundamentals

To enhance the performance of a single software system.

To create user interfaces for applications.

The primary purpose of an API is to enable communication between different software systems.

To store data in a database.

Remote Execution State Transfer

Resource State Transfer

Representational Service Transfer

Representational State Transfer

Client-server coupling

Use of proprietary protocols

Limited resource identification

1) Statelessness, 2) Resource-based architecture, 3) Use of standard media types.

SOAP is faster than REST.

REST requires XML format; SOAP does not.

SOAP is a protocol; REST is an architectural style.

SOAP is more flexible than REST.

Each request in RESTful APIs requires a session ID to track state.

RESTful APIs use cookies to store client state information.

RESTful APIs handle state by being stateless; each request contains all necessary information, and the server does not retain client context.

RESTful APIs maintain client state on the server for efficiency.

SMTP

HTTP

FTP

TCP

Using a REST API for a simple web application with no security requirements.

Using a SOAP API for a financial transaction system that requires high security and formal contracts.

Choosing a SOAP API for a mobile app that needs quick responses.

Implementing a REST API for a system that requires strict data validation.

JSON

XML

CSV

YAML

RESTful APIs achieve scalability by avoiding the use of standard HTTP methods.

RESTful APIs achieve scalability by being stateless, enabling load balancing, utilizing caching, and employing standard HTTP methods.

RESTful APIs achieve scalability by using a single server for all requests.

RESTful APIs achieve scalability by maintaining session state on the server.

Advantages of using REST over SOAP include simplicity, lightweight nature, statelessness, support for multiple data formats, and easier integration with web services.

REST requires more bandwidth than SOAP

SOAP is easier to integrate with web services than REST

REST supports only XML data format