Brief outline of Web API…
What and Why?
Before describe about Web API, I would like to first introduce what is an API. API refers to Application Programming Interface where an API is a set of subroutine definitions, protocols, and tools for building software and applications.
Web API is an API over the web which can be accessed using HTTP protocol. It is a concept and not a technology. It is a framework that helps you to create and develop HTTP based RESTFUL services. The web API can be developed by using different technologies such as java, ASP.NET, etc. Web API is used in either a web server or a web browser.
Web API can be consumed from anywhere.
· It supports CRUD based action with HTTP verbs GET, POST, PUT and DELETE.
· Response with status code.
· Web API supports MediaTypeFormatter like multipart/formdata.
· Easy to create and consume.
Reasons for using Web APIs-Why we use it?
· Web APIs are very useful in implementation of RESTFUL web services using .NET framework.
· Web API helps in enabling the development of HTTP services to reach out to client entities like browser, devices or tablets.
· ASP.NET Web API can be used with MVC for any type of application.
· A web API can help you develop ASP.NET application via AJAX.
· Hence, web API makes it easier for the developers to build an ASP.NET application that is compatible with any browser and almost any device.
Now let’s see some examples for web APIs.
· Google Maps API’s: Google Maps APIs allows developers to use Google Maps on Webpages using a JavaScript or Flash interface.
· YouTube API’s: Google’s API lets developers integrate YouTube and functionality into websites or applications. YouTube APIs include the YouTube analytics API, YouTube Data API, YouTube live streaming API, YouTube Player APIs and others.
· The Flickr APIs: It is used by developers to access the Flick photo sharing community data.
· Twitter APIs: Twitter offers two APIs, the REST API allows developers to access core Twitter data and the search API provides methods for developers to interact with twitter search and trends data.
Here are the limitations of Web APIs
The only general limitation of Web API is latency in request processing times and bandwidth usage but that depends on network and the actions performing.
Unlike Organization Service which was optimized for use with .NET, Web API can be used with different programming languages.
• Unlike Organization Service, no longer required to use libraries specific to Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Web API is built on open standards.
• Plug-ins or workflow assemblies on the server still expect to use the Organization service.
• Eventually the Web API will replace the Organization service and Organization Data service.
• The Web API should be your first choice for new development that will support Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 and future versions of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.
• You can use the Web API Discovery service instead of IDiscoveryService web service. The Web API Discovery service provides the same benefits as the Web API. This service enables your applications to determine, at run-time, the organizations that the signed-in user belongs to.