api_flashcards

Question 1

Term

Answer 1

Definition

Question 2

API

Answer 2

Application Programming Interface - a collection of methods of communication for building and interacting with software. It’s how one computer talks to another computer.

Question 3

Web API

Answer 3

A collection of endpoints that supply data to applications. They define the routes and types of responses the client can expect to receive after hitting those routes.

Question 4

REST APIs

Answer 4

Web APIs that conform to the REST architectural style principles. They are typically useful for CRUD operations. Client sends request to server that has a REST API standard interface, which accepts the request, updates any resources, and sends back a JSON response to client.

Question 5

HTTP Methods

Answer 5

Requests from client to server. Main methods include GET, POST, PUT/PATCH, and DELETE.

Question 6

GET Method

Answer 6

Gets data from the server.

Question 7

POST Method

Answer 7

Submits data to the server.

Question 8

PUT/PATCH Methods

Answer 8

Updates resource already on the server. PUT will update the entire resource, PATCH will update portion of resource but not all browsers support PATCH requests.

Question 9

DELETE Method

Answer 9

Deletes data from the server.

Question 10

HTTP Status Codes

Answer 10

Responses sent from server to indicate the result of a request.

Question 11

1xx Status Codes

Answer 11

Informational responses.

Question 12

2xx Status Codes

Answer 12

Success responses. 200: OK, 201: Created, 202: Accepted, 204: No Content.

Question 13

3xx Status Codes

Answer 13

Redirect responses - further action must be taken. 301: Moved Permanently, 302: Found but temporarily moved to somewhere else, 304: Not Modified.

Question 14

4xx Status Codes

Answer 14

Client error responses. 400: Bad Request, 401: Unauthorized, 404: Not Found, 405: Method Not Allowed.

Question 15

5xx Status Codes

Answer 15

Server error responses. 500: Internal Server Error - server had a problem and couldn’t process the request, out of your control.

Question 16

API Keys

Answer 16

Passwords to access an API and perform some action.

Question 17

API Tokens

Answer 17

Like a password to access an API key.

Question 18

Service

Answer 18

Software or system that provides a set of functionality. Some common functionalities are authentication, data processing, or communication with other systems.

Question 19

Resource

Answer 19

Data that can be manipulated by an application, such as a file, object, database record, or a network connection. Resources are typically consumed by an API or other interface that allows interaction with the application.

Question 20

How to Test APIs - Step 1

Answer 20

Make a request using a tool like Postman or curl, and see if the response is what you expected.

Question 21

How to Test APIs - Step 2

Answer 21

Verify the response status code is 200 or 201. Ask for the response body and verify the data is what you expected.

Question 22

How to Test APIs - Step 3

Answer 22

Verify the Database. Query the database to see if the data was actually created in the database.