Learnings from APIs and Web Services Course
Introduction to APIs and Web Services
- What is an API? Definition and real-world use cases
- Examples of APIs: Twitter API, Google Cloud API, eBay API
- What is a Web Service?: Web-based APIs and their significance
- Web Service vs API: Key differences and use cases
Core Concepts
Data Formats
- XML: Structure, syntax, and use cases
- JSON: Lightweight data format and its advantages
- Comparison: JSON vs XML: Performance, readability, and popularity
HTTP Fundamentals
- HTTP & HTTPS: Protocols for communication
- Request Methods: GET, POST, PUT, DELETE
- Status Codes: 200, 400, 401, 403, 404, 500
API Architectures
- SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol): XML-based, strict standards
- REST (Representational State Transfer): Stateless, lightweight, widely used
- Comparison: SOAP vs REST: Security, performance, complexity
Authentication & Authorization
- OAuth: Secure authorization framework
- OAuth Example (Google Cloud): Implementing OAuth authentication
- Authentication vs Authorization: Key differences and best practices
- OpenID Connect: Identity layer on top of OAuth
API Tools & Hands-on Learning
- Postman: API testing and request handling
- Postman Authentication: No Auth, Basic Auth, Digest Auth, Bearer Token, OAuth
- Calling APIs using Python: Hands-on example
- Creating APIs in AWS: API Gateway and Lambda integration
- Calling APIs using Different Programming Languages: Best practices
Advanced Concepts
- Webhooks: Real-time data updates and event-driven architecture
- Microservices: Scalable and modular API-based architectures
- REST API Examples: Implementing Twitter and eBay APIs
- Native, Web, and Hybrid Apps: API integration strategies
Hands-on Exercises
- Using Postman for API requests
- Calling an API with Python
- Building an API with AWS
- Implementing OAuth authentication