There are two popular methods to develop web apps. One is the traditional and true method of integrated web app development using web frameworks like Laravel, CodeIgniter, ASP.net, Rails or similar. Developing apps via frameworks focused to make the programming tasks simple as well as easily repeatable. However, most developers consider this method as monolithic. Another new philosophy that gains popularity in web app development is the use of an API-driven model. This approach utilizes a wide range of nodes connected to the API, which enables direct connection to the database for data access. 

The tight integration in the framework approach causes dependency issues; hence, many developers opt for APIs, which help in segmenting components in a better way. In addition, the mobile application revolution also leads the way of the era we are in now, where Web APIs are powering most apps.

Web APIs are a medium or an interface to enable pathways of communication between a company and its applications. This ensures that the digital assets of the company to be accessible to any channel. In Web APIs, communication takes place through web-specific protocols and the internet. The API itself requests messages, defines endpoints and response structure. You can build web APIs with ASP.net core, PHP and various other programming languages.  Web APIs support developers in creating apps, which are compatible with any device and any browser.

API acts as a gateway to the asset and enables an entry point to the app developer who will employ the asset for app development. It results in an app that is connected to the services and data. Eventually, API enables the apps to ensure a more intelligent user experience to the end-user.

With Web APIs, they can access almost all features of HTTP like request/response headers, URIs, caching, content formatting, etc. There are types of Web APIs for web application development including REST, SOAP and RPC. 

REST (Representational State Transfer)

REST is a Web API, which supports the development of enterprise-grade web apps. The introduction of a REST protocol for data management and exchange in internet service entirely revolutionized application development nearing the millennia. Almost every application includes a REST API. It involves a series of architectural styles and guidelines used for data transmission.

REST API commonly applies for web application development but can also pass data to software.  This API employs the HTTP standard to function with resources like TRACE, CONNECT, POST, GET, DELETE, and PATCH. It serves as an interface between the systems to acquire data as well as performs operations on data in different format like JSON, YAML, HTML, and XML. The main reason why it becomes a prevailing choice for creating custom web application these days is its simpler data processing solution.  Laravel, Django, Express.js, Flask, and SpringBoot are some best frameworks widely used to build REST API. Several web development companies including .Net Development Company develop their apps with Rest API. Brands like Twitter and Expedia are using this Web API to enhance their app performance. 

Benefits of REST Web APIs

In the current software industry, SOAP is being widely used in legacy systems. SOAP is an XML based Web API for accessing web services using HTTP. The core objective of this web API is to ensure the security of transmitted data of your web application. SOAP is a method to send an XML request using the HTTP protocol and in turn, getting an XML response.

This communication protocol is designed to work in a decentralized environment to handle the interaction between request & response messages of web applications. SOAP uses all possible transport protocols, including SMTP and HTTP. The HTTP supports the SOAP model to easily tunnel across proxies and firewalls without any changes to the SOAP protocol. SOAP is a platform & a language-independent protocol. SOAP supports security, addressing and format independence through the concept of the routing message via a string of nodes.

In addition, it includes built-in error handling. It supports automation when involving in certain language products. As a result, SOAP web APIs becomes the ideal choice for generating CRM solutions, Payment gateway apps, telecommunication services, and identity management. For instance, Salesforce offers both a SOAP API and a REST API; as such, Salesforce developers can integrate Salesforce with their platform in a way, which assist them the best. 

Benefits of SOAP Web APIs

RPC API is the oldest as well as the simplest client-server protocol for web APIs. This API is widely used for commands or procedure and it is gaining popularity in the space of crypto-currency. This Web API is primarily used for generating distributed, client-server-based applications. RPC can be used through other transport protocols like AMQP. RPC API is available in two types:

By understanding the types of Web APIs, the next major decision that you should make is which API to choose for your project. Picking the wrong API could be a time-sink – it can you lock you with the limited features of APIs. On the other hand, using the right API can ensure ready service, flawless security, collaboration, automation and many more.

Hence, making the right decision is important and there are several things to consider in determining the best one in the market. Efficiency, integration, customized user experiences, information sharing, support, and community are a few attributes that shouldn’t be ignored.

Overall, Web APIs are responsible for nearly everything you do with just a few clicks. Almost all web applications today operate with some kind of internet connectivity and involve interaction with APIs or web services.  While understanding what a web API is and what its types are, is fairly simple and straightforward, the process of choosing the right type to build your web application and then designing it to function effectively is vital to offer your web API a long life. Hence, realizing the benefits of these web APIs can be substantially helpful when you are planning a new app.