Communication among machines cannot be done verbally as we humans do. Aforesaid is also not possible with the applications, for which API and Web Services are used. API and Web Services are used for communication by up-to-minute web/digital applications. Web services abet contact among two machines set over a network. Whereas the API accede two applications communicate to each other.
API
API is application programming interface. It is an interface that lets the two application interact with each other. It additionally allows the user to interact with the application. It is built of diverse parts which acts as a tool or services that are available to the programmer. API allows for communication when the computers are joined by a network/internet.
Through API, the companies unbolt their built application’s data and functionality to the third party.
To explain further, here is familiar example:
API is just as the waiter you get at any restaurant. Let’s eye to the words down that elucidates the above stated.
Imagine you’re seated in a restaurant and want to order the food. You obviously cannot go to the kitchen to cook nor can go there to order directly. For the service you desire, you’ll need a waiter who acts as a messenger, who will take your order and deliver your food at your table. Same work is of the API, it takes your request or order and delivers you for what you’re looking for.
Working of APIs:
For API to be integrated with any system like mobile app or website or nay other software platform, it has the following process:
API provider shares server URL with an API endpoint which specifies the operation to be performed by the API.
The API endpoint is connected with an API method or HTTP method used to invoke the API. The methods are as follows:
1. GET
2. POST
3. PUT/PATCH
4. DELETE
After the API call, we will get two things in response:
1. ERROR – if request fails
2. SUCCESS – if request passed.
Web Services
Web service is a software that concoct itself accessible with standardized XML messaging system. XML is reached down to encode all communication to the web services. Web services are characterised by their compatibility, interoperability and affability.
Web Services are services proffered in for communication of two electronic devices with each other. It always requires a network for machine to machine interaction. The diverse type of web services are: XML-RPC, UDDI, SOAP, REST, etc.
Working of Web Services:
Web services use SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) through which the XML data is shared between the applications. This data shared from web services to application is called SOAP messages. SOAP message is the XML document.
Difference between API and Web Services
Ø All API’s are not web services, but all web services are APIs.
Ø API performs all the operations, but web services do not. API is a level higher than Web services.
Ø API has no restriction, it uses any style for services, but Web services uses only tree styles i.e. SOAP, REST and XML-RPC for communication.
Ø For the usage of API you must be mindful of JSON and XML, while anyone who knows XML can make use of the web services.
Ø Web services always need network for employment, whereas it is not compulsory for all API to have network.
Ø API can be hosted within an application or IIS, while Web services can only be hosted on IIS.
Ø API pillars HTTP protocol: URL, Request/Response Header, caching, versioning, content formats. On the other hand, only pillars the HTTP protocol.
