API and Webservices - Understand and use REST APIs

Includes API, Web Services using REST, JSON, XML, HTTP, and Postman

APIs and Web Services are everywhere these days and if you're in IT then it's essential you know how to work with them.

Unfortunately, a lot of the material online about REST APIs is confusing, especially for beginners. But don’t worry, because in this course I explain all the technical terms in a way that is easy to understand. We’re going to be learning all about how APIs work and how to use them.

If you are a beginner, or if you have some knowledge of APIs but need a refresher, this course is for you. This course includes all the essential components of APIs that every IT professional should know. The Main Topics include REST, HTTP, JSON, & XML. This course includes demos, quizzes, and exercises to test your new skills.

What you are going to learn:

• Learn exactly what an API is

• What API Endpoints are

• Calling the International Space Station API – follow along demo.

• Introduction to HTTP – the main protocol used when sending data over the internet

• The different parts of an HTTP Request – The Request Line, Headers, & Body

• Commonly used HTTP Request Methods - GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, HEAD, & DELETE

• Learn when to use each Request Method.

• Learn what idempotence means and how this relates to request methods.

• Send different types of requests to an API using Postman (free version) – follow along demo.

• Learn the structure of HTTP Responses

• Understand Response Status Codes

• HTTP Quiz

• Learn the JSON data format.

• Learn how to structure data in JSON by completing an exercise

• Solution to the JSON exercise

• REST APIs and the six guiding principles of REST – what makes an API RESTful

• Learn both query parameters and path parameters - includes a demo using an API called SWAPI

• Learn the XML data format

• XML follow along demo

• XML Attributes

• XML Quiz and Exercise

• Solution to the XML Exercise

If you're wanting to get a strong foundation in APIs then I look forward to working with you in the course!