If you are working in tech, there’s no way you haven’t heard of APIs. Short for Application Programming Interface, an API is like an intermediary that powers connectivity between various software applications.
Many people think that all APIs work the same way but that’s far from the truth. There are many types of APIs and in this blog, we will dive into the fascinating world of APIs.
API Connects – trusted for API and data integration services in New Zealand – will share 10 types of APIs that are widely deployed by enterprises. So, let’s get started!
10 Different Types of APIs
APIs can be classified into several categories based on their usage. These are the ones that we frequently work with:
Open APIs: Also known as public APIs, these are freely accessible to developers for integration into third-party applications. Used by companies like Google, Twitter, and Facebook to allow developers to access their platforms and build upon them, Open APIs offer several advantages that include better reach, higher user engagement, and a platform for developers to create new applications.
Private APIs: Think of this as the glue that binds various parts of a system together. These are used internally by developers to communicate and exchange data between different components of a software system. Also known as internal APIs, these are NOT exposed to external developers but are still one of the most popular types of APIs with which developers work.
Streamlined processes, better communication, consistency in data exchange, and security are just a few of the several benefits that the internal APIs offer.
Partner APIs: Shared with external parties such as business partners or affiliates to enable integration between separate systems, these APIs are often used in projects where multiple organizations need to exchange data.
Also known as B2B APIs, Partner APIs are a surefire way to create an additional revenue stream for your company along with an expanded reach to new markets and customer segments.
Composite APIs: These combine data from multiple sources into a single interface. Also known as Mashup APIs, these APIs are used by companies like GitHub and Spotify to get information from social media, and e-commerce platforms. These are ideal for web services and mobile app development.
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REST APIs: Short for Representational State Transfer (REST) APIs, these APIs use standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE to perform operations on resources, making them an obvious choice for web services and mobile app development.
Example Use Cases: Social media analytics tools, Twitter bots, and integration with third-party applications.
SOAP APIs: Short for Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) APIs, they are part of a legacy technology used for exchanging information between systems over a network. While less common today, they are still used in enterprise-level applications that require security and reliability. Have you worked with this type of APIs? Let us know in the comments!
WebSocket APIs: The WebSocket APIs make it possible to open a two-way communication between the user’s browser and a server. With this API, you can send messages to the server and receive event-driven responses without polling the server for a reply.
Unlike a REST API, which receives and responds to requests, a WebSocket API supports two-way communication between client apps and your backend. A rather ‘different’ API type if you ask us!
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Streaming APIs: Streaming APIs are used to examine data in real-time so users can gather up-to-date information and accurate results through the web. This process starts with a consumer or client opening a socket – one-sided communication link. Then, through that socket, certain data criteria can be received.
The value of streaming APIs lies in having a pulse on the quickest way to deliver data to users.
GraphQL APIs: GraphQL is an open-source query language describing how a client should request information through API. In a broad sense, GraphQL is a syntax developers can use to ask for specific data and return the data from multiple sources. Developers can make real-time updates to data through GraphQL’s open-source capabilities for read process, data mutation, and monitoring.
Hypermedia APIs (HATEOAS): Hypermedia as the engine of applications state (HATEOAS) is the constraint of the REST application architecture. HATEOAS allows a client to navigate the API dynamically through hypermedia links contained in the responses. This means clients interact with the application entirely through dynamically provided links rather than hard-coding endpoint paths.
Different Types of APIs
Millions of businesses and enterprises rely on APIs to interact with customers, manage data, and deliver a superior tech experience. If you plan to use the power of APIs for your product or enterprise, you need to figure out which type of API is right for your needs.
We hope this blog provides valuable insights into the different types of APIs. Drop us a message if you need help with APIs. We have an experienced team of API engineers in New Zealand who can assist with everything you need.
Send us your queries at enquiry@apiconnects.co.nz. Let us unlock the power of APIs and take your project to the next level together!
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