[Microservices] Web API Essentials: REST API and GraphQL

What is REST

Describe RESTful APIs

• Representational State Transfer
• Flexible and lightweight way to integrate applications
• Architectural style that defines how apps should communicate on a network

Explain the key characteristics of a REST API

• Request managed through HTTP :perform standard CRUD functions
• Stateless client-server communitcation: Each request contains all the necessary information
• Uniform interface between components:
  • API requests for resources should look the same rehardless of origin
  • One identifier = One URI
  • Complete information

Explain the benefits of using REST APIs

 

Introduction to API Gateway

• Expalin an API Gateway
• API management tool
• Sits between client and collection of backend services
• Protect your APIs
• Analyze your API usage
• Monetize your APIs
• Presen a single point of  contact to microservices
• Add and remove APIs seamlessly

Explain the benefits of using an API Gateway

• Insulate clients from implementation details
• Provide unified access to API
• Fewer equest to the bacend
• Standard protocal to the outside world

Explain the drawbacks of using an API Gateway

• complexity
• Single point of failure 
• Extra step

Describe the available API Gateway products

• IBM DataPower Gateway
• Google Apigee/Cloud endpoints
• Microsoft Azure API Gateway
• Amazon API Gateway
• Opensource Gateways
  • Kon Gateway
  • Apache APSIX
  • Tyk
  • Gloo