How do API Endpoints work?
We see APIs all around us. Almost every company is using APIs in one way or the other. Thus, it is vital to know more about them. As an API allows communication between two systems efficiently and this interaction with other systems requires endpoints.
Let’s now talk about API endpoints and how they work? Take a look at the following Rapid API Comic that uses the analogy of a dog to describe API Endpoints.
API Endpoints
An endpoint includes a URL of a server or service. Each endpoint is the location from which APIs can access the resources they need to carry out their function. When clients interact with an API, they send a request to an endpoint. The place that APIs send requests and where the resource lives, is called an endpoint.
APIs will have many endpoints representing different data, so it is very important that they are clearly named after the entity they represent. As they specify where resources can be accessed by APIs and play a vital role in guaranteeing the correct functioning of the software that interacts with it. Thus, API performance relies on its ability to communicate effectively with API Endpoints.
Monitoring API endpoints is very crucial as it ensures that you’re able to find issues before users experience them. This overall improves the user's experience.
Securing Endpoints
As entire businesses depend on API endpoints, securing them should be a top priority of developers. A few best practices for securing endpoints are as follows:
- Always use
HTTPSas it provides security against breaches - Use asymmetric (or “one-way”) encryption algorithms for storing passwords.
- Enforce a limit of how many calls a client can make to the API in a given time frame.
