Applications have to be able to communicate with each other in order to integrate or extend. For example, a checkout service needs to communicate with a separate marketing automation service to send out a cart abandonment email.
Apps typically talk to each other through 0s and 1s (binary code), making the talking protocol challenging to develop and maintain. Instead of writing a different protocol each time, we use an Application Programming Interface (API).
The API will define an abstraction and make it easier for programmers to develop and maintain.
Web APIs are becoming increasingly valuable. A REST API is the API type that uses HTTP requests to GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE data.
REST, representational state transfer, is a software architecture style that contains several architecture constraints that are coordinated or used together. It is quite a unique style used to define a work environment for connectors, components, and data elements.
REST is more focused on the roles of components rather than the protocol syntax or implementation of a protocol. REST’s set of rules is designed to assign how URLs and HTTP protocols are used.
RESTFUL API
A RESTful API is a modern API that operates under the REST rules to achieve the desired level of optimization. Developers must follow these six important constraints:
1. Client-server: This constraint allows each component to operate independently. APIs should act as a server for multiple clients.
2. Cache: An API should use caching to save resources, using the network as little as possible.
3. Stateless: A RESTful API allows for stateless communication between the client and server, which means that every request from the client to the server must contain all necessary information to complete a transaction as quickly as possible.
4. Uniform Interface: Resources should be described flawlessly and manipulation of resources should be streamlined.
5. Code on Demand: The clients should be able to use all programs seamlessly
6. Layered System: A RESTful API is a layered system that uses proxies for a quicker data transfer. To build a RESTful API properly, you have to use the HTTP properly, create a uniform interface, leverage REST architecture, use multi-language fields, and combine resources into composites.
HOW DOES RESTFUL API WORK?
RESTful APIs work by breaking down a unique transaction into several modules and then each module focuses on addressing a specific part of the transaction.
Because of the modular infrastructure, developers benefit from expanded flexibility. However, no developer would attempt to design a RESTful API from scratch.
REST is a style that uses HTTP calls for streamlined communication instead of complex models like COM+, COBRA, RPC, or SOAP. Using REST means your transaction is going to be HTTP-based and reliant on specific messages.
The API works by employing a straightforward request/response mechanism. Used in these operations are:
GET: Retrieves a specific resource
PUT: Updates the resource
POST: Creates a resource
DELETE: Deletes a specific resource
A RESTful API is highly effective because of its ability to allow you to gain access to resources without connecting your API to the client. As a result, you are able to build a more robust, more reliant infrastructure for your business while using fewer resources.
RESTful API for Ecommerce
Here are some of the main benefits of RESTful APIs:
– Flexibility: REST APIs are flexible and can handle many different types of requests and send data in various formats.
– Scalability: RESTful APIs are designed for communication between any pieces of software regardless of capability or size. As a web application grows and adds resources, its RESTful API will be able to handle the increasing amount and variety of requests.
– Incorporate Existing Technologies: Since RESTful APIs incorporate already existing technologies, they are relatively easy to build and use. All you need to do to request a resource using REST API is provide its URL.
RESTful API is great for businesses looking to connect their applications to multiple APIs that belong to ecommerce platforms. RESTful APIs simplify the integration process, especially when integrating your web solution with platforms like WooCommerce or Magento.
Using RESTful API architecture is the simplest and effective way to access data essential for running your eCommerce business.
Our web app and development team at New Target understands that your eCommerce business has multiple systems that need to communicate to provide the best user experience. Through APIs, our web app developers integrate our clients’ specialty web apps to the fullest extent possible. Contact us to get started with your eCommerce APIs!