25. Build Your Own API

BootCamp by Dr.Angela

1. Building Your Own APIs

• You can build your own APIs using frameworks like Node.js + Express.
• API Platforms
  • RapidAPI : Marketplace for testing and using public APIs
  • APIs can be:
  • Monetized APIs : Data collection services, Algorithm / service-based APIs, Simplified interface for complex systems
  • Internal APIs (Private APIs) : Used only within a company or application
• What Makes an API RESTful?
  • A RESTful API follows these principles:
  • Uses HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE)
  • Returns data in JSON format
  • Follows Client–Server architecture
  • Is stateless (each request is independent)
  • Is resource-based (everything is treated as a resource)
  • Operates over the web (HTTP/HTTPS)

2. Creating GET, POST, PATCH, and DELETE Routes

• Express Routes Overview : In Express, routes define how the server responds to client requests.
• Route Parameters(:) : Used to capture dynamic values from the URL.
  • ex) app.get("/users/:id", (req, res) => { console.log(req.params.id); });
  • :id → dynamic parameter
  • Accessed via req.params
• Callback Functions in Array Methods : Commonly used when working with data in APIs(find, filter, findIndex, ...)
  • ex) const user = users.find(user => user.id === 1);
• PUT vs PATCH
  • PUT : Replace entire resource, Update full object
  • PATCH : Modify part of resource, Partial update
• DELETE Operation : Used to remove data from a collection.
  • ex) users.splice(index, 1);
  • splice() : removes elements from an array , Commonly used for delete logic in in-memory data