Which HTTP method is commonly used to retrieve data from an API endpoint?
- DELETE (HTTP DELETE method)
- GET (HTTP GET method)
- POST (HTTP POST method)
- PUT (HTTP PUT method)
The HTTP GET method is commonly used to retrieve data from an API endpoint. When a client sends a GET request, it asks the server to retrieve a resource, such as information or data, from the specified URL or endpoint. This method is safe and idempotent, meaning it should not change the server's state and can be called repeatedly with the same result.
You are tasked with designing a Web API that will be used by several different client applications. What factors would you consider to ensure that your API is robust and easy to use?
- Avoid versioning your API and make frequent breaking changes
- Design a clear and consistent API structure with comprehensive documentation
- Limit the documentation to provide minimal information
- Use obscure and non-standard authentication methods
To ensure an API is robust and easy to use by multiple client applications, it's essential to design a clear and consistent API structure. This includes well-documented endpoints, standardized authentication, and versioning to avoid breaking changes. Using obscure authentication, minimal documentation, and frequent breaking changes would make the API less robust and challenging for clients to use.
By implementing API throttling, a server can serve a fixed number of requests per ____ , ensuring fair usage.
- Day
- Hour
- Minute
- Month
By implementing API throttling, a server can serve a fixed number of requests per minute, ensuring fair usage. This technique helps control traffic and prevent excessive usage that can overload the server.
What considerations should be taken into account when optimizing an API for a large number of simultaneous requests?
- Decrease the API's scalability.
- Ensure the API is stateful.
- Increase the API's response time.
- Use techniques like load balancing and caching.
When optimizing an API for a large number of simultaneous requests, it's essential to use techniques like load balancing and caching. Load balancing distributes incoming requests across multiple servers to prevent overload, and caching stores frequently requested data to reduce the load on the server and improve response times, making the API more scalable and responsive.
Can you describe the role of Identity Provider (IdP) in OpenID Connect?
- A component responsible for API rate limiting
- A database for user profiles and data
- A service that issues authentication tokens
- A software for load balancing
In OpenID Connect, an Identity Provider (IdP) is a crucial component responsible for issuing authentication tokens to users. It authenticates users and provides them with identity tokens, which are then used to access resources or APIs. Understanding the role of IdPs is vital in the context of user authentication and authorization.
Why might a developer choose to use JWT for authorization over other methods?
- Centralized authentication control
- Extensive access control mechanisms
- Simplicity and portability
- Strong encryption and obfuscation
Developers might choose JWT (JSON Web Tokens) for authorization due to their simplicity and portability. JWTs are self-contained and can be easily passed between parties, making them an efficient choice for handling user authentication and authorization. They are particularly useful when a stateless and distributed authorization method is required.
Relay optimizes for performance with a local store that keeps track of all the _____ fetched via GraphQL queries.
- Data and schema
- Data fetched via REST APIs
- Errors and exceptions
- Relational databases and tables
Relay optimizes for performance with a local store that keeps track of all the data and schema fetched via GraphQL queries. This local store allows for efficient data caching and management, improving the performance of applications using GraphQL with Relay.
You are tasked with designing an API that will be accessed by various clients. How would you decide whether to use API keys or an alternative form of authentication?
- Always use API keys as they are the most secure form of authentication.
- Evaluate the specific use case and security requirements before choosing an authentication method.
- Use client certificates exclusively for authentication.
- Use OAuth 2.0 for all authentication scenarios.
The correct approach is to evaluate the specific use case and security requirements when deciding on the authentication method. API keys are a valid option in some scenarios, but other methods like OAuth 2.0 or client certificates may be more suitable based on the context and security needs of the API and clients. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Consider a situation where a large organization is deciding between using RESTful APIs and SOAP APIs for their new web service. What factors should be considered in making this decision?
- Choose SOAP APIs for better performance and scalability.
- Consider industry standards, legacy system compatibility, and specific project requirements.
- Evaluate the simplicity and ease of use of RESTful APIs.
- Focus on SOAP APIs to take advantage of REST features.
When deciding between RESTful and SOAP APIs for a new web service, it's important to consider factors like industry standards, compatibility with existing systems, and project requirements. The choice should align with the organization's specific needs and not be solely based on simplicity or perceived performance benefits.
Imagine you are tasked with integrating a legacy system using SOAP APIs with a modern application using RESTful APIs. How would you approach this challenge?
- Build a middleware layer to translate SOAP requests to RESTful.
- Evaluate the legacy system and determine if it's possible to convert SOAP to RESTful.
- Implement a hybrid approach that uses both SOAP and RESTful APIs.
- Suggest the complete replacement of the legacy system with RESTful architecture.
When integrating a legacy system using SOAP APIs with a modern application using RESTful APIs, building a middleware layer to translate requests is a common approach. It ensures compatibility between the two systems without requiring a complete overhaul of the legacy system. Replacing the entire legacy system with RESTful may not be feasible or cost-effective.