Benefits of API Development and How it Facilitates Web & Mobile App Development?
API (Application Programming Interface) plays a significant part in the web and mobile app development. It doesn’t matter what kind of application you are building, whether it’s PWA, Native, or Hybrid, a quality API can increase its performance. Today, developers can make complex functionalities look easy by using APIs. Hence, there are several tips for UI developers that they can follow to better relate their app’s frontend according to the API of a website. There are plenty of API benefits, but before getting into further discussion, we must understand the basics.
What is an API?
If we precisely define the API, then it is a path for the exchange of data between a web/mobile application client and the server. When a user clicks a button on an app’s frontend, it triggers an action. That action is transported down to the app’s server via an API. The server interprets that action and performs a certain set of data driven tasks, eventually returning the response of that action back to the app’s client through the API. In short, consider API as a road which connects city A (App client) with city B (App server). Whether it is REST or SOAP API, the sole purpose is to make the communication possible among the applications.
Role of an API in Web App and Mobile App?
It doesn’t matter if you are developing a mobile app or a web app; the role of an API remains the same. Today, there are various technologies used for web development, but people still neglect API’s significance. Meanwhile, the impact of API in game development and IoT devices is even more significant. The following are the facilities that an API can provide in web and mobile app development:
Manipulate documents: DOM (Document Object Model) is the common example, which manipulates HTML and CSS for altering the designs and styles of your pages dynamically. When you see a new design or some latest content on a webpage, it is because of DOM.
Fetch data from server or 3rd party server: No matter if we are using Dev, staging or production server, API plays a vital role to fetch content from the server or any 3rd party vendor. As it provides an abstract data layer for the frontend developers to interact with the app server. Hence, making data driven operations lot easier and robust.
Draw and manipulate graphics: Most browsers support APIs that can programmatically update the pixels of the data present in HTML. It contains all the 2D and 3D scenes of a web page. You might draw some basic shapes like a triangle or circle, but you can import it to Canvas API and apply different filters or textures.
Device APIs: There are such APIs that can retrieve data from the device’s hardware, which can be useful for web and cross platform apps. APIs are used everywhere. From manipulating a small section of an app to sending real time push notifications, it all relates with API one way or another.
Client-side storage: Modern APIs can also store the data on the client-side. This feature can be very useful during the development of an app that stores the information between the pages. It also creates the possibility to operate it offline. PWA thrives on top of this utility.
Benefits of API
There are different technologies for the front-end of a website. Meanwhile a modern API can increase the performance of that website interface even much more. It has also increased the functionality of PWA and Native apps. However, API includes the following benefits:
Automation
It enables the computer to perform different functions instead of humans (IoT). By using quality APIs, businesses can run on the next level. It will help you to maximize your business by increasing the workforce of your systems. I can play a major role in the development of various tools such as time tracking tools.
Flexibility
It makes an application flexible as it can access to its various components. In that manner, it can classify their functions into multiple styles, which simply increase flexibility.
Scope
An API increases any application’s scope by increasing its functionality and communication among the server. It also personalized apps that will help you to create custom user experiences.
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