List of API Protocols
Developers use API protocols to integrate interfaces with their software, following standards for usage, data types, commands, and other aspects of API development.
We always used the same API?
APIs aren’t all the same. For ease of discussion, developers often classify them into types. Understanding these API types can help you determine what your organization or enterprise needs and then figure out how to get started designing your API.
Enterprises leverage APIs to give internal and external developers secure access to the functionality and data of their applications.
Popularly used API protocols are:
1. Simple object access protocol (SOAP)
SOAP, utilizing XML, is the oldest API protocol, debuting in June 1998. It predominantly transmits data via HTTP/HTTPS but is versatile, supporting other protocols like SMTP, TCP, and UDP. XML-encoded SOAP messages use the format defined below:
Envelope: The core element of the message. It ‘envelopes’ the message by placing tags at the start and the end.
Header (optional): It defines specific additional message requirements, such as authentication.
Body: The request or response is included here.
Fault (optional): Information about errors that might arise during the execution of the API call or response is highlighted here, along with information on how one can address these errors.
SOAP is popular for the flexibility of its transmission channel. However, it relies heavily on XML, thus requiring rigid formatting rules. Also, XML is difficult to debug, making SOAP less popular for modern-day API requirements.
2. Representational state transfer (REST)
REST surpasses SOAP in flexibility by eschewing XML reliance and adopting JSON for data transmission. RESTful APIs, adhering to a client-server structure, are constrained to HTTP/HTTPS communication, contrasting SOAP’s broader protocol support. REST requests typically include these key components:
HTTP method: This component outlines the four basic processes that a resource can be subjected to–POST (create a resource), GET (retrieve a resource), PUT (update a resource), and DELETE (delete a resource).
Endpoint: The uniform resource identifier that locates the resource on the internet is a part of this component. URLs are the most common type of URI.
Header: Data related to the server and the client is stored in this component. Like in SOAP, one can also use REST headers to store authentication measures such as API keys, server IP addresses, and the response format.
Body: This component contains additional information for the server, such as data that needs to be added or replaced.
Compared to SOAP, REST implementation is flexible, scalable, and lightweight. A key feature of RESTful APIs is stateless communication. This forbids the storage of client data between GET requests.
Finally, GET requests are required to be disconnected and distinct. With REST, a unique URL is assigned to every operation. This allows the server to follow preset instructions for executing a received request.
3. Google remote procedure call (gRPC)
Google’s 2015 gRPC, an open-source RPC architecture, operates across environments, relying primarily on HTTP. Noteworthy features include custom functions for flexible inter-service communication, with added functionalities like timeouts, authentication, and flow control. Using protocol buffers for data transmission, gRPC employs protoc, the protocol buffer compiler, to generate a comprehensive class in the chosen language, enabling users to implement in-depth API operations.
4. JavaScript object notation–remote procedure call (JSON-RPC)
JSON-RPC is a stateless and lightweight API protocol that communicates between web services using request objects and response objects. Introduced shortly after the turn of the millennium, JSON-RPC leverages JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) to allow API communications’ simple, albeit limited, execution.
This protocol defines requests that can take care of all functionalities within its narrow scope. JSON-RPC has the potential to outperform REST in cases where one can apply it.
5. Graph query language (GraphQL)
Released in 2015, GraphQL is a database query language, and a server-side runtime for APIs developed at Facebook. By design, this protocol prioritizes giving users the exact data requested–no less, no more. GraphQL is developer-friendly and supports the creation of fast and flexible APIs, including composite APIs. GraphQL can be used as an alternative for REST.
6. Apache Thrift
Also developed at Facebook, Thrift is a lightweight, language-agnostic software stack. This API protocol supports HTTP transmission, along with binary transport formats. Thrift is capable of clean abstractions and implementations for data serialization and transport and application-level processing. Its primary objective is point-to-point RPC implementation.
#APIProtocols #SOAP #REST #gRPC #JSONRPC #GraphQL #ApacheThrift #SoftwareDevelopment #WebServices #APIIntegration #ProtocolComparison #Programming #DataTransmission #APIStandards #HTTPCommunication #JSON #XML #DeveloperTools
