APIs are the backbone of communication over the Internet. Every developer needs to learn about APIs. Here’s a roadmap that covers the most important topics:
1. Introduction to APIs
API is a set of protocols and tools for building applications. Different types of APIs exist, such as public, private, and partner.
2. API Terminologies
Various API terminologies, such as HTTP versions, cookies, and caching, need to be understood.
3. API Styles
The most common API styles are REST, SOAP, GraphQL, gRPC, and WebSockets
4. API Authentication
API Authentication techniques like Basic Auth, Token, JWTs, OAuth, and Session Auth
5. API Documentation
A good API is understandable. API Documentation tools like Swagger, Postman, Redoc, and DapperDox make it possible.
6. API Features
Key API features include pagination, parameters, idempotency, API versioning, HATEOAS, and content negotiation
7. API Performance Techniques
Common API performance techniques are caching, rate limiting, load balancing, pagination, DB indexing, scaling, and performance testing.
8. API Gateways
Learn about API Gateways such as Amazon API Gateway, Azure API Services, Kong, Nginx, etc.
9. API Implementation Frameworks
The most popular API development frameworks are Node.js, Spring, Flask, Django, and FastAPI
10. API Integration Patterns
Learn about various API integration patterns such as gateways, event-driven, webhook, polling, and batch processing.