API Architecture

Overview

6 API Architecture Styles

SOAP

Mature, comprehensive, XML-based. Best for enterprise applications.

Cons:

• Complexity
• Verbosity

RESTful

Popular, easy-to-implement, HTTP methods. Ideal for web services.

Examples: Twitter, YouTube

GraphQL

Query language, request specific data. Reduces network overhead, faster responses.

Examples: Meta (invented it), GitHub, Shopify

Cons:

• Apps with complex data requirements
• Steep learning curve

gRPC

Modern, high-performance, uses Protocol Buffers by default.

Suitable for microservices architectures.

Cons: Limited browser support

Examples: Netflix - handles their immense inter-service communication

WebSocket

Real-time, bidirectional, persistent connections. Perfect for low-latency data exchange.

Webhook

Event-driven, HTTP callbacks, asynchronous.

Notifies systems when events occur.

Cons: If you need synchronous communication or immediate response, this might not be the solution.

Example: