What are API Endpoints?
What is an API?
API (Application Programming Interface) is code which bridges data exchange between two applications.
What are API Endpoints?
An API endpoint lies at one end which receives, processes requests from an application and then sends the information requested. It can be defined as the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for a server or a service.
How are API endpoints used?
Let's consider a FinTech website that has the functionality to display information on digital or tangible assets such as cryptocurrency, fiat currency, stocks, gold, or silver. The application might need a third party or a separate entity dedicated to providing updates on cryptocurrency, another one for fiat currency, stocks, and so on. The APIs provided by these companies can be used in a single application to display information for all these different assets.
Similarly, trading bots use APIs from finance websites and applications to access information on assets to execute trading operations.
These applications will be receiving information by sending requests via APIs, the address where the respective requests are directed is known as an endpoint.
How do API Endpoints work?
API endpoints can be accessed using methods under the HTTP communication protocol.
The following methods can be used to perform CRUD ( create, read, update, delete) operations in RESTful services :
GET: Retrieve data from an endpoint. For example, retrieve your profile picture to be displayed when you log into Twitter.
POST: Insert data in the servers located at the endpoint e.g. uploading a new tweet on your feed.
PUT & PATCH: Update or modify existing data e.g updating your account’s email address.
DELETE: Remove specific data at the endpoint location e.g. deleting a tweet.
Conclusion
API endpoints play a crucial role in facilitating data exchange between applications. They serve as the URL for a server or service, receiving and processing requests from applications and providing the requested information. API endpoints enable applications to connect with external sources and access data from various providers. API endpoints are essential components in the seamless integration and communication between different software systems.
Macrometa's ready-to-go industry solutions can help accelerate API time- to-market for new integrations or monetization opportunities, and provide consistent, high performance.