Structured Lists Directory

TSV

API Types - TSV

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 
code	slug	name	description	caching	communicationPattern	dataFormat	fullName	protocol	state	useCases
01	rest	REST	A resource-oriented architectural style using the HTTP protocol.	Excellent (HTTP-level)	Request-Response	["JSON","XML","YAML","Plain Text"]	Representational State Transfer	HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2	Stateless	["Web applications","Mobile apps","Microservices","Public APIs"]
02	graphql	GraphQL	An API that enables flexible data fetching through client-driven query language.	Complex (requires custom implementation)	Query-Response	["JSON"]	Graph Query Language	HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2	Stateless	["Mobile apps","SPAs","Complex data relationships","API aggregation"]
03	soap	SOAP	An XML-based messaging protocol API characterized by strict standardization.	No built-in caching	Request-Response, One-way	["XML"]	Simple Object Access Protocol	HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, TCP	Stateful or Stateless	["Financial services","Healthcare systems","Enterprise integration","Legacy systems"]
04	grpc	gRPC	A high-performance RPC framework developed by Google using Protocol Buffers.	No built-in HTTP caching	Unary, Server Streaming, Client Streaming, Bidirectional Streaming	["Protocol Buffers (binary)"]	Google Remote Procedure Call	HTTP/2	Connection-based	["Microservices","Internal service-to-service communication","Real-time systems","IoT"]
05	websocket	WebSocket	A protocol enabling full-duplex communication, suitable for real-time data exchange.	Requires custom logic	Full-duplex, Event-driven	["JSON","Binary","Text"]	WebSocket Protocol	WS, WSS (WebSocket over TLS)	Stateful (persistent connection)	["Chat applications","Live dashboards","Online games","Collaborative editing tools"]
06	webhook	Webhook	An event-driven HTTP callback mechanism that enables push notifications from server to client.	Not applicable	Event-driven, Push	["JSON","XML","Form Data"]	Web Callback	HTTP, HTTPS	Stateless	["Payment notifications","CI/CD integration","Notification systems","System integration"]