Tantamount to RESTful APIs, the term Web API is a familiar and increasingly common usage. Many developers appreciate Web APIs as one of the richest and best APIs and find them very useful for web programming. We will have a firm grasp of knowledge about the definition, types, and characteristics of Web API, how to use it, and case studies in detail.

What is Web API?

Web API is a type of API realized using web technologies such as HTTP and HTTPS. An API (Application Programming Interface) is a mechanism for sharing part of a program's functionality so that it can be used by another program.

The API itself is open to the public on the web, so anyone can use it for free.

Examples of this include a service that allows you to check your bank account balance and deposits and withdrawals as a function of a household account book app, and an authentication service that uses SMS.

With the development of IT technology, an increasing number of companies are introducing Web API technology to make their services more convenient and valuable. In addition, many companies are increasing their profits by increasing opportunities to link with various programs by publishing Web APIs.

Differences between APIs and Web APIs

After knowing the definition of APIs and Web APIs, let’s see how Web APIs retrieve data and functionality.

In order to use the functions of one program in another program, the API sends a request to the server of the API program where the user (client) is open to the public. As a response to that, it is a mechanism that allows you to use some functions of the program.

Web APIs that share the same programming language as the user side are prevalent, but the distinction of Web APIs lies in their adoption of the HTTP/HTTPS method, enabling seamless communication even across different programming languages. HTTP serves as the underlying protocol for data exchange between web servers and browsers, and HTTPS ensures encrypted communication. Embracing HTTP/HTTPS communication grants Web APIs the advantage of interoperability across diverse programming languages and compatibility with web browsers. Additionally, these APIs exhibit high versatility, offering automated data updates and a plethora of freely available options. As a result, Web APIs have been widely embraced across various domains for their adaptability and the array of benefits they offer.

Types of Web APIs

It is also important to understand the terms REST API, RESTful API, and SOAP API as they relate to Web API. These refer to the method of communication used to implement the Web API.

SOAP API

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) functions as a communication protocol employing XML for HTTP calls (Requests) and responses (Responses) to facilitate data exchange. In the initial stages of Web API development, SOAP was predominantly favored. Nevertheless, its extensive and intricate specifications have led to a gradual decline in its usage in more recent times.

REST API

REST (REpresentational State Transfer) has the meaning of "one of the design principles in distributed systems". It is not a communication protocol like SOAP, but a design guideline suitable for the cooperation of multiple software.

REST works mainly on the HTTP protocol. The above basic operations will use their own HTTP methods.

GET (SELECT): Returns a Resource or a list of Resources.
POST (CREATE): Create a new Resource.
PUT (UPDATE): Update information for Resource.
DELETE (DELETE): Delete a Resource.

Features of Web API

Web API fully supports Restful methods such as Get, Post, Put, and Delete, enabling seamless and efficient construction of HTTP services. Additionally, Web API encompasses several vital capabilities, including Web API-URI, request/response headers, caching mechanisms, versioning features, and content formatting options. Its ability to comprehensively support all components of HTTP empowers robust product management automation.

Through the utilization of Web API, businesses can automate various aspects of their management and workflow updates, leading to improved productivity and work efficiency. The API's flexible integration capabilities enrich user experiences by facilitating easy retrieval of content from any website or application. By acting as gateways, APIs enable businesses to selectively share information while avoiding unwanted requests.

One significant advantage of the API lies in its real-time information update capabilities. Employing this technology, businesses can effect changes and updates in real-time, leading to more accurate and flexible service delivery and enhanced data transmission."

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Advantages and disadvantages of Web API

Every application has its advantages and disadvantages, and Web API is no exception.

Its merits include:

Flexible integration: Web APIs simplify the integration of data and functionality across various systems and platforms, enabling seamless data sharing and collaboration between different applications and services.
Reusability: Web API facilitates the reuse of functionality, allowing APIs developed once to be utilized in multiple projects and applications, thereby saving development time and effort.
Extensibility and scalability: Web API enhances system extensibility and scalability by enabling easy integration of new features and services using existing APIs.
Cross-platform support: Web APIs are compatible with different devices and applications, making it convenient to work across various platforms such as mobile apps and web apps

Demerit:

Security risk: Exposing a web API can pose a security risk. Appropriate security measures should be taken against vulnerabilities such as unauthorized access and data leakage.
Version control: API version control is a key issue. As the API changes and updates, it is necessary to maintain compatibility with applications that use older versions of the API.
Network dependent: Web API relies on network connectivity. If there are network failures or delays, it may interfere with the use of the API.
Data disclosure: By exposing the Web API, data and functions are exposed to the outside, so there is a risk of leakage of corporate strategic information and confidential information.

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The Role of Web APIs

By connecting different programs, Web API plays a crucial role for both the side that introduces it and the side that provides it. The three main roles are summarized below.

Help develop new features and services
Provide a better customer experience
Increase the number of users of your service

Help develop new features and services

For the side that introduces APIs, if they develop their own services on their own, they will need a lot of resources. By using existing programs published as Web APIs, development becomes easier and resources such as time, manpower, and costs can be saved.

It will also lead to opportunities for service growth for the provider side. New business opportunities will be nurtured by using programs published as Web APIs in combination with other services.

Provide a better customer experience

Web APIs allow users to smoothly achieve their goals without leaving the website or app they are currently using.

For example, if an EC site incorporates a credit card company's API, users can make payments safely. Also, if a video is embedded on a web page, users who visit the website can not only read the article and obtain information but also understand how to use it and the image after use from the video.

As a result, action will be encouraged and the evaluation of the article will also increase.

Increase the number of users of your service

Websites and apps that introduce web APIs to provide a better customer experience attract more users. On the side of the Web API provider, there will be more opportunities to reach users that could not be reached with their own services. Both the side that introduces Web API and the side that provides it can expect an increase in the number of users.

Popular Use Cases of Web API

Here are some familiar examples of how Web API works.

Google Map API

Google Map API is a Web API that allows you to embed Google Map functions on your website. Users who visit the website can operate as if they were connected to Google Maps, such as checking the map of the area around their destination and zooming in/out of the map.

Amazon API

Amazon APIs are two types of Web APIs that have functions for obtaining Amazon product information. The "Amazon MWS API" for professional sellers allows you to manage information related to procedures such as delivery and shipping. In addition, the "Amazon Product Advertising API" for affiliates has a function that allows real-time reference of product information such as price, inventory, and reviews.

YouTube API

YouTube API is a Web API that allows you to obtain information related to YouTube, and three types are available. "YouTube Data API" that can obtain YouTube video information, "YouTube Analytics and Reporting API" that can analyze videos, and "YouTube Player API" that can display playback players on websites.

Twitter API

The Twitter API will be able to perform the same operations as the Twitter app, such as posting content, following, and liking. In addition, it is also possible to have more functions than the Twitter app, such as automatic posting.

PayPal API

PayPal API is a web service that allows you to easily make payments from websites and blogs.

It is often used in EC shops because it allows you to call up the information registered in your PayPal account and make a payment without changing the screen.

In addition to this, many Web APIs such as weather forecasts and transit information have been released.

How to use Web API

This section describes the procedure for using Web API. There are various methods depending on the type of Web API, but the basic flow is as follows.

Register for the desired API
Get the API key and secret
Set API key
Implement the API

1. Register for the desired API

Go to the website that offers the API you want. In most cases, you will be asked to register your name and email address.

2. Get the API key and secret

The API key is the user's ID, and the secret is the password. Please pay attention to security as this key is assigned only to you.

3. Set API key

Set the obtained API to a website or web service.

4. Implement the API

Web API provides a reference (manual) for implementation. Follow this content to implement Web API in your app or website.

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Utilization of Web API in website design

Web API is now used by many programmers to design websites. Below are the web design web API utilizations.

・Optimization of search tools

Common search tools can return fragmented and inconsistent data. This makes it difficult for users to find the content and information they want.

Website designers are using Web APIs to optimize their search tools. Web API allows you to narrow down and search for information with high accuracy. This will improve the user's website experience.

・Social media integration

Web API can be integrated with popular social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Web APIs make it easy for websites and social media to exchange data. Users can interact with social media apps as normal without leaving the website.

・E-commerce website construction

Web API not only contributes to improving user experience but also supports building online sales websites.

Many of today's large-scale e-commerce websites have huge traffic and multi-tiered service offerings. And Web API offers a lot of support through simple and automated capabilities. Web APIs make it easy to leverage existing technologies embedded within applications to build large-scale systems.

Summary

Web APIs play a critical role in modern web development. This technology enables the exchange of data between different applications and systems, improving the integration and scalability of web services.

The advantages of Web API are manifold, Web API makes it easy to share data between different platforms and applications. Using APIs also allows developers to reuse existing functionality and resources, saving development time and effort.

To recapitulate, Web APIs are an integral part of modern web development and bring many benefits. It is important for developers to build effective and secure web APIs through proper design and implementation. This enables seamless application integration and a rich user experience.

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