API 101 using Postman

In this article , I’m going to write about creating and testing APIs with Postman.

What is an API?

API stands for Application Programming Interface. In simple terms, an API is a set of protocols and tools that enable different software applications to communicate with each other. APIs allow applications to share data and functionality with other applications without the need for the applications to know the specifics of each other’s underlying code.

How does APIs works?

Just picture a waiter in a restaurant. The consumer is seated at the table with a menu of options to choose from, and the kitchen is the supplier who will carry out the order.

To convey your order to the kitchen and then return your meal to your table, you require a link. Since they are cooking in the kitchen, it can’t be the chef. You require a method of communication between the customer placing the order and the chef preparing the food. The waiter, or the API, steps into the scene at this point.

Your order is taken by the waiter, who also directs the kitchen on what to do with it. It then sends you the response — in this case, food — back. Furthermore, if the API is designed correctly, hopefully, your order won’t crash!

Types of APIs :

1. Open APIs: often referred to as Public APIs, can be accessed by anyone because they are made available to the public.
2. Partner APIs: Because certain APIs are not accessible to the general public, a developer must possess specific rights or licences in order to utilise them.
3. Internal APIs: also referred to as private APIs, are exclusively accessible by internal systems. These are often made for usage inside a business. To be able to develop its goods and services, the corporation uses this kind of API among its various internal teams.
4. Composite APIs: are the APIs that mix various data and services. As a result of the execution and not at the request of a job, it is a series of tasks that run synchronously. Its primary functions are to expedite the execution process and enhance listener performance in web interfaces.

Web Services APIs:

There are web service APIs in addition to the primary web APIs:

1. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol)
2. REST (Representational State Transfer)
3. XML-RPC
4. JSON-RPC

Why should we use Postman? What is it?

Postman is a widely-used tool for testing and documenting APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). It is used by developers all around the world to simplify their API development workflows. In recent years, Postman has become a popular tool for students who are learning about API development, as it provides an easy-to-use interface that simplifies the process of making API requests.

Postman has become a popular tool for students who are learning about API development, as it provides an easy-to-use interface that simplifies the process of making API requests.

As a student, using Postman can be incredibly helpful in your API development journey. some of the benefits of using Postman as a student:

1. Easy to use

2. Debugging

3. Collaboration

4. Documentation

Request and Response methods

Let’s take a closer look at the request and response processes now that we know how an API functions, as I’ve already explained. Speaking of requests, when you use Google to search for something, you are actually sending a request to the Google server.

The URL is https://www.google.com/search?q=hello.

The protocol for your request is https: The server’s address is www.google.com, the endpoint is search, and the query is?q=hello.

Request methods

1. GET:Retrieve information
2. POST: Send information
3. PUT: Update information
4. DELETE: Delete information

Getting Started with Postman

First of all create an account on Postman.

Creating your first workspace

Workspace means project, create your first workspace.

Create your first collection

The term “collection” refers to a group of saved requests. We can fork (which means copy) an existing collection to our workspace or create a new one. On the left, click on + > add a name to your collection > click on: to add a new request to create a new collection in your workspace.

Get

Open the Postman to create a new request, click the + tab, choose Get request from the dropdown, type this URL in the Enter request URL field, and then hit Send.

Post

When using an API to communicate data to a server, a post the request is utilised. Imagine that you have written something on a piece of paper; in this scenario, the writing represents the data, the pencil represents the API, and the paper represents the server.

Put

A put The request is utilised when we want to use API to update any data that we have already uploaded to the server. If you had written an essay on paper and wanted to update something in it, your pencil would represent API and the paper would represent the server. You could update anything on the paper in this scenario.

Delete

Using an API, a delete request is used to remove certain data from a server.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as a student, using Postman is a great way to simplify your API development workflows. Postman is easy to use, saves time, provides powerful debugging tools, and makes collaboration easy. With all these benefits, it is no wonder that Postman has become such a popular tool among students who are learning about API development.