Learn what APIs and Microservices are and how they are different. After all, together they power some of the most amazing applications on the internet. https://www.webguru-india.com/blog/apis-and-microservices-what-are-they/

1. APIs and Microservices – What Are They?
API and Microservice – these are two new buzzwords of the tech industry, both very
important in modern day web application development. However, even though their uses
often overlap, these terms cannot be used interchangeably. It is important to understand
what they mean, and how they are different from one another.
What is an API
API (application programming interface) is a set of rules and protocols that allow software to
communicate with other software. It allows developers to create applications that interact
with outside services or systems, without having to learn the codebaseof those systems. APIs
can be used for a variety of purposes, such as retrieving data from an external service, sending

2. requests to webhooks in order to trigger actions within another system, or even controlling
devices remotely.
Typically, APIs handle data by fielding HTTP requests and returning responses in JSON
format. There are several kinds of APIs such as REST, GraphQL, SOAP, gRPC, and more.
REST (REpresentational State Transfer) APIs are generally used for security and efficiency.
Read More: Best Practices for Building RESTful APIs for Mobile Apps
Why Use APIs
A big reason why businesses use APIs is that they offer a way for users to access internal
systems and data without needing any developer skillset. This makes it much easier for them
to integrate new features into their applications or increase the accessibility and usability of
their existing ones.
There are several reasons why an API might be desirable:
 It could provide greater flexibility by allowing users to interact with services through
different channels (such as web browsers, mobile apps, etc.).
 An API could enable more efficient data management and analysis by giving external
parties access to platform data stores without needing their own proprietary software
modules or engines.
 It could speed up the development process by making it easy for programmers to
develop plugins or extensions for existing applications without having to start from
scratch.
What is a Microservice
Web microservices are small, modular pieces of software that can be used to improve the
performance and reliability of a website. “Microservice” actually refers to a style of
architecture. Simply put, web microservices help developers break down their applications
into smaller, more manageable pieces so that they can address specific problems and issues
faster. This makes it easier for them to test new ideas or modifications without affecting the
whole site – something that is often difficult or impossible to do with traditional web
architecture designs.
One big reason why web microservices are gaining popularity is that they enable companies
to scale their businesses independently from one another. This means that even if one part of
a company’s business suffers (for example, due to low traffic), other parts of the company can
still remain operational thanks to the web microservice concept. The problems this can
typically solve are:

3.  Poor response time for high-volume websites
 Difficulty managing large volumes of data on legacy systems
 Issues with scalability.
Why Use Microservices
A web microservice is a small, self-contained application that can be deployed on the internet
as a service. This means that it can be accessed by other applications and systems over the
network, rather than being physically installed on a machine. Web microservices are often
used in eCommerce businesses because they allow companies to scale their operations
quickly and easily. They also make it easy to create modularized solutions, which makes it
easier to change or improve an existing system without having to rebuild it from scratch.
There are several reasons why businesses might want to use web microservices:
 They allow for rapid deployment of new features or improvements.
 They enable companies to create isolated systems that operate independently but
share a common code base(s). This allows for easier testing and debugging of
individual components.
 Web microservices provide scalability and performance advantages over traditional
monolithic applications. Because they’re designed with multitenancy in mind, they
can handle increased demand without suffering from performance issues or data loss
issues caused by overcrowding.
APIs and Microservices – Are They Interchangeable?
Microservices and APIs are frequently paired together, and there’s a good reason for it. Just
like how web applications and software use open APIs to communicate with each other,
microservices too (as well as services within microservices) use internal or private APIs
toaccess each other’s components. However, these APIs are specific to each service that uses
them. No two microservices are alike within a system, and use APIs in their own way.
The primary differences between APIs and microservices may be summed up as follows.
An API
 Is a framework.
 Is what an application uses to communicate with other applications.
 Defines what an acceptable request is and what the response should be.
On the other hand, a microservice
 Is an architectural style.
 Is how an application is broken down into smaller, self-contained “mini-applications”.

4.  Makes maintaining and scaling software (or parts of it) easier.
Finally, it is important to note that APIs have a role within as well as beyond microservices.
Conclusion
Several leading software companies across the world have begun to shift towards a
microservice model, including Uber, Netflix, Etsy, Amazon, and Spotify. However, the appeal
of APIs to enterprises is primarily that, apart from enabling communication between
microservices themselves, they can also lead the way for powerful third-party integrations.
This essentially makes APIs a business model, where they are sold as products.
Resource: https://www.webguru-india.com/blog/apis-and-microservices-what-are-they/
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
WebGuru Infosystems
Y8, Block-EP, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700091, India
Website: https://www.webguru-india.com/
Email: enquiry@webguru-india.com
Phone: +91-8420197208
Follow us on: