Web APIs and REST APIs are not the same. Web APIs are a broad term referring to interfaces that allow web and device interaction while REST APIs are a type of server API that adheres to REST principles.
Web APIs are the backbone of modern web development and the success of Progressive Web Apps, providing powerful capabilities without requiring external plugins, making complex web interactions simple.
Project Fugu is a project aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the web platform to match those of native applications using inherent browser APIs that form the backbone of improved web functionality.
Web APIs empower the browser, and allow tasks that were previously limited to native applications.
Benefits of Web APIs are numerous, including access to native device features, offline and background functionality, and easier cross-platform app development.
Several Web APIs are available sourced from third-party libraries or available as inherent browser abilities (e.g. WebRTC and Geolocation), and most are supported by extensive documentation, making getting started accessible across platforms.
Ten Web APIs that help understand the way they work: WebRTC API, Web Bluetooth API, WebXR API, WebSocket API, Push Notification API, Web Share API, Fetch API, Web Payment API, Geolocation API, and File System Access API.
WebRTC provides real-time audio, video, and data communication directly between browsers. WebRTC enables developers to create sophisticated virtual-like web experiences.
A simple way to comprehend WebRTC is by testing with Local and Remote Video elements, where you access a user's camera and microphone, implement a function to manage peer connections, and exchange ICE candidates with peers to establish a connection.
Web APIs are the foundation of modern web development, offering a vast array of possibilities that allow scalability and improved web functionality.