API Presentation Explanation – Ubendra S
Slide 1: Introduction to API
- API stands for Application Programming Interface.
- Acts like a bridge between two software applications for communication.
- Real-life analogy: Think of an API as a waiter in a restaurant who takes your order
(request), sends it to the kitchen (server), and brings the food (response) back to you.
Slide 2: Purpose of APIs
- Integration: Connects different systems or apps to work together.
- Data Access: Users can access necessary data without revealing system internals.
- Automation: Automates tasks between services with no manual input.
- Reusability: One API can serve multiple apps or use cases.
- Scalability: APIs can handle increasing user demands efficiently.
- Faster Development: Developers save time by using existing APIs.
- Security: APIs offer controlled access through keys and tokens.
Slide 3: How APIs Work
- Request: Client sends a request to the API endpoint.
- Processing: API forwards the request to the backend server.
- Response: Server processes the request and sends a response.
- Delivery: API returns this response to the client application.
Slide 4: Types of APIs
- Web APIs: Accessed over the internet using HTTP/HTTPS.
- Local APIs: Used within local systems to enable communication between components.
- Program APIs: Allow communication between remote programs using protocols like
RPC.
Slide 5: REST API – Representational State Transfer
- REST is an architectural style using HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).
- Stateless: Each API request is independent and doesn’t rely on previous interactions.
- Data is typically returned in lightweight JSON format.
- Examples: Google Maps API, Spotify API, Weather APIs.
Slide 6: SOAP API – Simple Object Access Protocol
- SOAP is a protocol using XML for structured communication between systems.
- WSDL: Describes the web services, their methods, and data formats.
- WS-Security: Ensures secure communication using digital signatures and encryption.
- Transport Agnostic: SOAP can use HTTP, SMTP, TCP, etc.
- SOAP Faults: Detailed error handling and reporting mechanisms.
- Examples: Payment gateways, healthcare systems, government portals, airline
systems.
Slide 7: REST vs SOAP Comparison
- REST is a style; SOAP is a strict protocol.
- REST supports multiple formats; SOAP only uses XML.
- REST is lightweight and fast; SOAP is heavy and secure.
- SOAP is ideal for enterprise systems; REST for modern web and mobile applications.
Slide 8: Final Summary
- APIs enable different software systems to work together.
- They support integration, automation, scalability, and security.
- REST is best for flexibility and speed; SOAP is suited for secure, structured enterprise-
level systems.
