Modern software systems do not work in silos. To attend to different levels of queries from users, they need to connect with various applications, databases, and services. This web of connection is made possible by APIs.
Without APIs, developers will be limited in terms of what their applications can do and how they scale. In fact, users will be left to use monolithic software systems with a limited allowance for multi-query processing.
That’s why API calls make up about 71% of all web traffic and have evolved into a new design in recent years – API as a product.
In this feature, Franklin Okeke writing for TechRepublic Premium, looks at how APIs work in modern software development, the types of APIs, the security challenges they pose, and the benefits to developers.
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Some of the most commonly used API protocols include:
1. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol)
SOAP is an XML-based messaging protocol for exchanging structured data in web services. It operates independently of the underlying transport protocol, making it versatile for various network configurations. SOAP uses a standardized envelope structure that includes a header for metadata and a body for the actual payload. It is often deployed in enterprise environments, offering built-in error handling and security features.
While SOAP is notable for its flexible transport protocols and platform-agnostic nature, some condemn its verbosity and complexity, which, according to software engineering company AltexSoft, can lead to increased overhead and slower performance compared to lighter alternatives.
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TIME SAVED: Crafting this content required 22 hours of dedicated writing, editing, research, and design.