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Understanding Web APIs: What They Are and How They Work
- An API (Application Programming Interface) is a way for code to interact with other code, allowing programmers to communicate with different services.
- APIs enable automation of tasks like creating calendar events programmatically, improving efficiency and reducing manual work.
- REST APIs, based on HTTP, are the most common standard where developers can send and request data using HTTP methods.
- HTTP defines client-server communication through requests with methods like GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE.
- HTTP responses include status codes like 200 OK or 404 Not Found, indicating success or errors in executing requests.
- API endpoints determine resource interactions, supporting HTTP methods for actions like GET, POST, DELETE, and more.
- API documentation includes resource schemas that detail required fields, enabling developers to interact with resources effectively.
- Authentication in APIs ensures secure access to resources by validating user credentials sent in request headers.
- OAuth authentication standard allows developers to access APIs on behalf of end users, ensuring secure and authorized interactions.
- Upcoming articles will address common usability issues with APIs like inaccurate documentation, insufficient endpoint coverage, and confusing error codes.
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