Key Takeaway: REST API uses web addresses to get and send data, like ordering from a menu. Graph API asks for specific info in one go, like a customized meal order.
We’re more connected than ever, able to shop, share, and book services online in minutes-all thanks to data moving efficiently between countless applications. The key enabler behind this interconnected world is the Application Programming Interface (API), which acts as a bridge allowing different software, devices, and platforms to communicate and exchange data reliably and securely.
What is an API?
An API is a set of rules that allows different software systems to communicate and share data or functions. It acts as a bridge, enabling applications and devices to work together efficiently.
An API is like a power socket in your wall. You don’t need to know how electricity is generated or how the wiring works inside the walls-you just plug in your device and it works. Similarly, an API provides a standard way for different software systems to connect and interact, without needing to understand each other’s internal details.
The most common types of API are web APIs, which you interact with using HTTP and typically the following HTTP methods are used.
GET, HEAD, OPTIONS and TRACE methods are used to retrieve data from an API server.
PUT, POST and PATCH requests are used to create or modify a resource.
DELETE is exactly as it sounds and enables you to delete the resource at the specified URL.
OPTIONS returns data describing what other methods and operations a server supports.
CONNECT starts a two-way communication with the requested resource, in effect opening a tunnel.
Good APIs give developers ready-made building blocks, so you don’t have to code every feature from scratch. For example, if your app needs maps, you can simply connect to the Google Maps API instead of creating your own. APIs use standard methods and clear documentation, making it easy to integrate and interact with resources online. URLs help you access these resources from anywhere.
What is REST?
REST is a set of rules for how web services communicate, making it easy for different systems to exchange data. RESTful APIs use standard methods to handle requests and responses, allowing smooth navigation and interaction between resources online.
Consider these two examples:
DELETE /API/users:userID
GET /API/users/delete:userID
The second is incorrect because it uses GET to delete data, which breaks REST rules. REST APIs use standard methods and are stateless, meaning each request is independent and contains all needed information. This makes REST fast, reliable, and scalable, but can lead to over-fetching or under-fetching data.
Instead of constantly polling for updates (which is inefficient), you can use webhooks so the API notifies you when data changes. To address the need for fetching multiple related objects in one request, Graph APIs have become popular, offering more efficient data retrieval.
What is a GRAPH API?
REST APIs have been the industry standard for web APIs, organizing data around resources and using HTTP methods for requests. However, they often suffer from over-fetching (retrieving more data than needed) and under-fetching (not getting enough data in one request), which can slow down applications and require multiple calls to assemble the needed information.
Graph APIs address these issues by letting you traverse data as nodes and their connections, similar to a mathematical graph. Instead of multiple endpoints, a Graph API allows you to access related data in a single request, making it easier to get exactly what you need without unnecessary or repeated data transfers.
A GRAPH API is typically composed of:
nodes — basically individual objects, such as a User, an image, a Page, or a Comment
edges — connections between a collection of objects and a single object, such as multiple comments on a single image
fields — data about an object, such as a User’s name or date of birth
To get information about a node in a Graph API, you query its ID and specify which fields you want returned using the fields parameter. Most nodes have edges that represent collections of related objects; to access these, you use both the node ID and the edge name.
Graph APIs provide a highly efficient and controlled way to query large volumes of data, allowing for faster, more targeted responses compared to traditional REST APIs. This approach enables real-time data delivery and smarter data retrieval.
For example, Facebook’s Graph API manages vast amounts of user data-including timelines, posts, pages, comments, events, and connections-making it possible to access and traverse complex relationships within its massive user base, which currently stands at over 3 billion monthly active users.
10Duke offers a number of authentication and software licensing solutions delivered as REST and GRAPH APIs. Developer Guides for 10Duke APIs are available on our developer website, plus a free demo that will allow you to evaluate each API.
10Duke offers a number of authentication and licensing solutions delivered as REST and GRAPH APIs. Developer Guides for 10Duke APIs are available on our developer website, plus a free to test demo service that will allow you to evaluate each API.
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The unsung hero of our connected world is the Application Programming Interface (API). APIs make it possible for interactions between applications, data and devices to take place.