REST APIs And Business Benefits
APIs are so powerful that within Amazon all teams/departments exchange data & functionality only through APIs. But, what REST APIs really are?
In plain English, a API is a messenger that takes a request and tells a system what you want to do, then returns the response back.
Suppose you’re sitting on a table in a restaurant and there is a kitchen where food is prepared. A waiter serves the role of an API that takes your request, goes to the kitchen and brings you food. In this example, kitchen is the server that hosts application data, you’re the client that requests the data and waiter is the API that takes request, reaches the server and brings the data. Notice that the waiter will serve each customer’s request without discrimination.
Now the real question is, what are the benefits or REST APIs and why should you ask your development team to build your application with REST API at the heart? So here are a few strong reasons.
Scalability
Scalability means that how many users can access your application simultaneously without facing system failures. REST APIs are lightweight, in response APIs only send raw data in JSON or XML format. Let’s say you have a sales management application and your team exploded from 20 to 2000. With REST API, you can meet this demand without having to spend on bigger resources pool.
Performance
Because REST APIs are lightweight, it means far less data needs to be transferred from server to client. That’s why applications with REST APIs at the core perform better. We’re not talking about huge performance differences but if your team is going to use the application for next 10 years, even fractions of seconds will add.
Information Collaboration
Your sales department has been using an application for two year and now you need application for marketing team as well. If your marketing team depends on some data from sales team and you’re not using REST APIs then you will have to amalgamate both applications. The development process will be needlessly complicated and you’ll end up inflating your application as well.
If your sales application has REST API, then your marketing application can access required data through API without having to temper the application. Even if each team has its own system your organization can access each other’s data and applications will be small and manageable.
Universal Platform
Modern applications must be served on a wide range of devices like web browsers, mobile phones, tablets and desktop clients. Having a mobile app for your application is no more a luxury, it’s a must now. Employees want the information whenever and wherever they need. To target the existing devices and keep options open for the future REST API is the best option because it separate the front-end from the application back-end.
Cost Benefits
Going with REST APIs brings significant cost benefits. They offer scalability without having to invest in expensive hardware, save time due to better performance, save cost by supporting multi platforms and enable better collaboration between teams.
So if you’re going to invest in software application for your business, make sure your development team uses REST APIs at the core.
