What is the difference between REST API and other API?

APIs have been around for a long time, but their popularity has skyrocketed in recent years. These days, APIs are essential tools for developers, allowing them to offer custom-built services to their customers. There are different types of APIs, but one of the most popular is the REST API. In this article, we''ll look at the key differences between REST API and other APIs.

What is an API?

Before we dive into the differences between APIs, it''s important to have a basic understanding of what they are. API stands for "Application Programming Interface." APIs are a set of pre-defined protocols, routines, and tools that developers use to build software applications. They allow developers to integrate third-party tools and services into their applications, creating a custom experience for their users.

An API acts as an intermediary between two software applications, allowing them to communicate with each other. The communication happens through a request-response cycle, where the client application (the one that initiates the request) sends a request to the server application (the one that receives and processes the request). The server application then sends a response back to the client application, providing the requested information.

Types of APIs**

Now let''s look at the different types of APIs.

**SOAP APIs

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) APIs are a type of web service protocol. They use XML (Extensible Markup Language) as a data format and operate over the HTTP protocol. SOAP APIs are older than REST APIs and were popular during the early days of the internet.

SOAP APIs have a more rigid structure than REST APIs. They use the WSDL (Web Services Description Language) file to describe the service and its methods. SOAP APIs are highly secure, as they use digital certificates and WS-Security policies to protect the data.

SOAP APIs are useful for businesses that require strict security measures and need to handle large amounts of data. However, they are more complex to use and require more coding.

REST APIs

REST (Representational State Transfer) APIs are a newer type of web service protocol. They use HTTP as a data format and operate over the HTTP protocol. REST APIs are stateless, meaning that each request is independent of the others.

REST APIs have a more flexible structure than SOAP APIs. They use a resource-based approach, where each resource (such as a customer or order) is identified by a unique URL. REST APIs are lightweight and easy to use, making them popular among developers.

REST APIs are useful for businesses that require a lightweight and flexible API and need to handle small to medium amounts of data. However, they are less secure than SOAP APIs and require more effort to ensure data protection.

GraphQL APIs

GraphQL APIs are a newer type of API that allows developers to query data from multiple sources. GraphQL APIs are similar to REST APIs, but they provide more flexibility in terms of querying data.

GraphQL APIs use a schema to describe the available data and operations. The client application can request only the data it needs, reducing the amount of data transferred over the network and improving performance.

GraphQL APIs are useful for businesses that require a highly flexible API and need to handle small to medium amounts of data. However, they are more complex than REST APIs and require more effort to set up and maintain.

Differences between REST API and other APIs

Now that we''ve covered the basics of the different types of APIs, let''s look at the differences between REST API and other APIs.

Architecture

The architecture of REST API is different from that of SOAP API. REST API uses a resource-based approach, where each resource (such as a customer or order) is identified by a unique URL. SOAP API uses a more rigid architecture, where the WSDL file describes the service and its methods.

The architecture of GraphQL API is similar to that of REST API, but it allows for more flexibility in terms of querying data.

Data transfer format

REST API uses HTTP as a data transfer format, while SOAP API uses XML. GraphQL API uses a custom query language as a data transfer format.

HTTP is a lightweight and widely supported protocol, making REST API easy to use and quick to deploy. XML is a more complex data transfer format but is more secure than HTTP. The custom query language used by GraphQL API allows for more flexibility in terms of querying data.

Ease of use

REST API is easy to use since it uses HTTP as a data transfer format and a resource-based approach to identify data. SOAP API is more complex to use since it uses XML and requires more coding.

GraphQL API is also more complex than REST API since it requires developers to write custom query language. However, it provides more flexibility in terms of querying data than REST API.

Security

SOAP API is more secure than REST API, as it uses digital certificates and WS-Security policies to protect the data. REST API relies on HTTPS to encrypt the data during transmission, but it can be less secure since it doesn''t use digital certificates.

GraphQL API is similar to REST API in terms of security, relying on HTTPS to encrypt the data during transmission.

Scalability

REST API is highly scalable and can easily handle small to medium data amounts. SOAP API is also highly scalable but requires more resources to handle large amounts of data.

GraphQL API is highly scalable but requires more effort to set up and maintain than REST API.

Conclusion

In conclusion, each type of API has its strengths and weaknesses. REST API is a lightweight and easy-to-use API that is useful for handling small to medium amounts of data. SOAP API is more complex to use but provides strict security measures and can handle large amounts of data. GraphQL API is similar to REST API in terms of architecture and security but provides more flexibility in querying data.

When deciding which API to use, it''s important to consider the needs of your business and the data you need to handle. REST API is a good choice for businesses that require a lightweight and flexible API, while SOAP API is a good choice for businesses that require strict security measures. GraphQL API is a good choice for businesses that require a highly flexible API and need to query data from multiple sources.