The majority of businesses do not wish to be restricted by third-party software vendors. However, they do not have the funding to create their own proprietary business solutions. APIs give businesses the ability to create unique solutions by incorporating cutting-edge features and functions created by other businesses. A long-term business choice is which API protocols and types best fit the specific requirements of your company.
Types of APIs
There are various types of APIs, based upon how you wish to classify them, and each of them is specifically suited for a different reason due to its particular scale, advantages, and targeted consumers. Let’s discuss them briefly:
Public APIs
A public API, also known as a public or external API, is made to be used by a large number of clients. API documentation is available to third-party developers without charge, and they are allowed to use it to create and test apps. In order to raise brand recognition or as a component of a market share plan, businesses freely share the data and functionality of their systems.
Private APIs
Companies utilize internal APIs to combine already-existing systems and applications or to create new apps that automate company procedures. They keep total control over how the API is used and restrict access to or communication with internal systems by people or external programs. API integration service providers shouldn’t skip security features, user authorization, or verification and although private APIs are only utilized within a company. A company’s internal APIs must adhere to the PCI Data Security Standard if it deals with critical customer data, such as payment cards.
Partner APIs
To boost business revenue, some businesses grant other businesses (partners) API access to their applications and databases. A partner API has strong user authentication mechanisms and advanced security features, and it is frequently used to share sensitive customer information with known business partners. API usage terms, fees, and licenses are clearly defined in an agreement between partners. Access should not be used in a way that could harm API providers’ reputations.
Composite APIs
A number of API calls to multiple API endpoints are required for a complex action like creating a shopping cart order. With composite APIs, developers can combine multiple API calls into a single API call and receive a single response. Composite APIs are ideal for users who need to perform a specific task while simultaneously collecting data from multiple sources. Composite APIs have the potential to speed up application loading times and improve performance by reducing the number of API requests and responses.
Differences between API protocols
The success and acceptance of an API can be profoundly affected by the API format selected. Based on the complexity of the information that needs to be exchanged, the level of security required around that information, and the speed or performance required from those exchanges, organizations must select the most suitable format.
Think about SOAP and REST. Both formats primarily make use of HTTP protocols and commands like GET, POST, and DELETE to connect applications. Both can include XML in their responses and requests. REST, on the other hand, can utilize JSON, HTML, and plain text, whereas SOAP is designed to rely on XML.REST, on the other hand, is governed by architecture and allows for flexibility in its rules, whereas SOAP is standardized with strict rules. REST is built on resources, whereas SOAP is built on calls to remote procedures.
As a result, REST and SOAP both exchange data, but in very different ways. For more complex data exchanges and the ability to call procedures, SOAP is used by businesses that require tight security and clearly defined rules. Internal or partner APIs are frequently used by developers with SOAP.REST is used to quickly exchange relatively straightforward data. Additionally, REST can facilitate greater scalability by accommodating large and active user bases. REST is popular for use in public APIs, such as mobile applications, because of these characteristics.
Bottom Line
This is a solid foundational understanding of the various types of APIs and how developers use them if you don’t need to know the ins and outs. Your company will be able to collaborate with other applications, expanding your reach and influence, if you use the appropriate API.
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