INI

API Types - INI

API Types is a classification of web API architectural styles and protocols widely used in modern software development, including REST, GraphQL, SOAP, gRPC, and WebSocket. Each type corresponds to different communication patterns, data formats, and use cases, forming the foundation for data exchange between systems. The choice of appropriate API type significantly impacts system performance, scalability, and development efficiency.

API REST GraphQL SOAP gRPC WebSocket Web Services Communication Protocol

[item.rest]
code=01
slug=rest
name=REST
description=A resource-oriented architectural style using the HTTP protocol.
caching=Excellent (HTTP-level)
communicationPattern=Request-Response
dataFormat=["JSON","XML","YAML","Plain Text"]
fullName=Representational State Transfer
protocol=HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2
state=Stateless
useCases=["Web applications","Mobile apps","Microservices","Public APIs"]

[item.graphql]
code=02
slug=graphql
name=GraphQL
description=An API that enables flexible data fetching through client-driven query language.
caching=Complex (requires custom implementation)
communicationPattern=Query-Response
dataFormat=["JSON"]
fullName=Graph Query Language
protocol=HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2
state=Stateless
useCases=["Mobile apps","SPAs","Complex data relationships","API aggregation"]

[item.soap]
code=03
slug=soap
name=SOAP
description=An XML-based messaging protocol API characterized by strict standardization.
caching=No built-in caching
communicationPattern=Request-Response, One-way
dataFormat=["XML"]
fullName=Simple Object Access Protocol
protocol=HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, TCP
state=Stateful or Stateless
useCases=["Financial services","Healthcare systems","Enterprise integration","Legacy systems"]

[item.grpc]
code=04
slug=grpc
name=gRPC
description=A high-performance RPC framework developed by Google using Protocol Buffers.
caching=No built-in HTTP caching
communicationPattern=Unary, Server Streaming, Client Streaming, Bidirectional Streaming
dataFormat=["Protocol Buffers (binary)"]
fullName=Google Remote Procedure Call
protocol=HTTP/2
state=Connection-based
useCases=["Microservices","Internal service-to-service communication","Real-time systems","IoT"]

[item.websocket]
code=05
slug=websocket
name=WebSocket
description=A protocol enabling full-duplex communication, suitable for real-time data exchange.
caching=Requires custom logic
communicationPattern=Full-duplex, Event-driven
dataFormat=["JSON","Binary","Text"]
fullName=WebSocket Protocol
protocol=WS, WSS (WebSocket over TLS)
state=Stateful (persistent connection)
useCases=["Chat applications","Live dashboards","Online games","Collaborative editing tools"]

[item.webhook]
code=06
slug=webhook
name=Webhook
description=An event-driven HTTP callback mechanism that enables push notifications from server to client.
caching=Not applicable
communicationPattern=Event-driven, Push
dataFormat=["JSON","XML","Form Data"]
fullName=Web Callback
protocol=HTTP, HTTPS
state=Stateless
useCases=["Payment notifications","CI/CD integration","Notification systems","System integration"]