Introduction

Representational state transfer (REST) is a software architectural style devised to guide the design and development of the architecture for the World Wide Web. REST is one of the foremost standards for system integration.

REST defines a set of architectural propositions by which you can design Web services that focus on a system’s resources including how resource states are conveyed and transferred over HTTP by a broad spectrum of clients written in distinct languages.

If computed by the number of Web services that use it, REST has transpired in the last few years alone as a predominant Web service design model. REST has had such a huge impact on the web because it’s a remarkably simpler style to use. 

The goal of REST is to increase performance, simplicity, scalability, portability, modifiability, visibility, and reliability. This is accomplished by following REST principles such as a client-server architecture, cacheable, statelessness, use of a layered system, support for code on demand, and using a uniform interface. The system is classified as REST once the principles are followed.

• RESTful web services are platform-independent.
• It can be written and executed in any programming language and platform.
• It provides different data formats like HTML, JSON, text, and XML.
• It is fast in contrast to SOAP because there is no strict specification like SOAP.
• These are reusable.
• These are language-neutral.

Development Technologies

Developers can easily understand APIs because they are based on a set of distinct technologies. APIs are designed to be simple so they can be used with any programming language and understood by any programmer regardless of knowledge of API technology.

JSON

In JavaScript Object Notation, information can be exchanged between programs. APIs let programs communicate, but since they don't have voices, they have to communicate the data and information they exchange. 

1. Security 

API security is the single biggest challenge organizations want to overcome in the years ahead, and resolving the security challenge is expected to drive API growth.

2. Keys 

Keys are not a formal standard but are commonly used by API providers and supported by API management providers. It is the use of one or two keys that accompany each API call. Many people perceive API keys as secure because they identify the application and user rather than being about security.

Basic Authentication

A simple authentication method that does not require cookies, session identifiers, or login pages is the simplest way to restrict access to web resources. As opposed to HTTP Basic authentication, HTTP Basic authentication relies on fields in the HTTP header, so no handshakes are required.

Open Authorization 

A protocol for authenticating users over HTTP using open standards, OAuth 2 enables applications, devices, servers, and APIs to be authorized using access tokens instead of credentials. It gained popularity through usage by companies such as Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Twitter, which share their account information with third-party applications.

JSON Web Token 

An open standard for creating access tokens that assert several claims, JSON Web Token is an extension of OAuth 2.0. A JSON Web Token (JWT) can be accessed using API keys and OAuth tokens, on the other hand, it can always be obtained via OAuth tokens and API keys. In combination with OAuth, JWT gives us the ability to store data of any type.

Webhooks

A webhook is a type of push notification that is triggered by a specific action. Information is pushed to an external website address when the trigger is triggered. When a webhook is pushed, developers are given the option to select which action, URL, and fields to send. In response to a triggered webhook, all associated information is sent to a developer for further processing. In addition to reducing constant API polling, webhooks are a great way to send API developers information only when actions are required.

Development Industries 

Finance & Banking

• APIs are used by digital portals that help customers exchange currencies.
• Customers need APIs if they wish to pay their credit card bills online, view their loan eligibility, transfer money, or check their bank balance on their smartphones.
• Paying with Google Pay, Chase QuickPay, or Venmo is preferred by younger customers. APIs are the only way to accomplish this.
• To pinpoint theft more efficiently and utilize fraud analytics, APIs are necessary 

Media & Publishing

• APIS is used by many online publishers to get content from creators and publishers.
• APIs enable publishers to deliver content to smartphones and tablets.
• APIs are essential for content syndication. The New York Times, for example, has developed its API.

Retail & ECommerce.

• APIs allow POS (point-of-sale) terminals to accept payments from a variety of sources, such as cards, cash, and mobile devices.
• APIs allow customers and companies to track shipments.
• Inventory is tracked using APIs by e-commerce sites as well as brick-and-mortar stores.
• Schedules and stock inventories of employees can be determined using APIs 

Education

• Due to the nature of online testing and grading, APIs connect results and scores to a central database.
• APIs enable teachers to share lesson plans, develop curriculums, and assign files.
• APIs are used to track student profiles, attendance rolls, directories, and other necessary information.
• Classes can be registered for and confirmed with APIs.

Healthcare

• By using APIs, medical facilities can access vital patient information, vaccine records, and previous tests from any device.
• Through API-enabled technology, hospitals can keep track of open beds and additional care before discharge.
• Doctors' availability can be checked and appointments can be booked quickly on the website.
• Implementing APIs correctly can minimize potential non-compliance concerns for healthcare providers and improve billing accuracy.

Manufacturing Real-Time Examples of API in Healthcare

• Reduce overtime costs and better predict staffing requirements by streamlining healthcare operations.
• Providing foster care by connecting with physicians and patients; more up-to-date patient information, connecting with physicians and patients.

Travel & Tourism 

• With APIs, travel companies can offer agents the ability to make real-time bookings on their websites.
• Using this system, travel companies can set prices based on their criteria.
• Through APIs, companies can display rich content on their websites for their clients.
• Due to APIs being platform agnostic, it is possible to capture bookings regardless of the platform they were built on.

Requirements

Hard Skills

A REST API developer can be assessed based on the following skills:

• Design for a progressively connected world
• Understand the benefits of Cross-Platform Applications
• Learn the lingo: be fluent in cloud platforms and multiple coding languages
• Understanding of an MVC framework like spring/play
• Understanding of REST/RESTful web services, HTTP protocol (method/response codes), SOAP (optional)
• Understanding of protocol buffers or JSON or XML
• Fundamentals of a validation framework
• Any good persistence framework like hibernate/spring
• In-depth programming comprehension
• Capability to communicate effectively
• Extensive understanding of the stack
• Ability and readiness to reuse
• Specialized knowledge of REST + JSON
• Appreciation of API-first design approach and how it can assist in delivering the best fit solution for an organization’s APIs
• Complete knowledge of the API frameworks

 Soft Skills

• An understanding of the chosen framework will enable effective decisions to be made, as well as the addition of reusable libraries that are appropriate for the organization
• Recognizing the need to tailor APIs for specific cases
• Being able to deliver a flexible and effective mechanism for orchestrating fine-grained API
• A basic understanding of integration architecture
• Recognition when an existing API offers part of the functionality that they need to build
• Proficiency in building REST APIs
• Deep knowledge of how web semantics translate into a REST API
• Experience delivering and programming in a production environment
• Expertise in working with algorithms and data structures.
• Experience applying modern design patterns and proficiency in object-oriented programming
• Possess an understanding of multiple systems and customer areas
• Have a broad understanding of key business issues, drivers, and metrics for success gained through exposure to multiple systems
• Experience working in an Agile SDLC

Experience

• Experience building REST APIs for 2+ years.
• REST API knowledge and expertise based on extensive experience with web semantics.
• Expertise in delivering programs in a production environment with over 4 years of experience.
• Knowledge of algorithms and data structures.
• Knowledge of modern design patterns and experience with object-oriented programming.
• Ideally, you must have experience with Scala and Javascript.

Salary Structure

In India, the average API developer salary is USD 1,130,000 per year or USD 579 per hour. Those in entry-level positions make about USD 700,000 a year, while those with extensive experience make about USD 2,400,000 a year.

Certification & How it Helps

Candidates can distinguish themselves in a competitive job market by earning the Vskills REST API Development Professional Certification, which can broaden their employment prospects by displaying their advanced skills, and result in higher earnings. 

The API certification can be beneficial for job seekers looking for jobs in API or web or software development departments of various companies, students who want to improve their skill sets and make their CVs stronger, and existing employees looking for a better job.

Shortlisting a Candidate

It is often said that people are an organization's greatest asset: The qualities, motivations, and characteristics of employees directly impact the success or failure of an organization. A developer's ability to develop a quality API contributes to the success or failure of an API. API providers rely on human talent to ensure that their products are as good as they can be, such that a REST API is efficient, well-designed, and captivates API consumers.

A great REST API developer constitutes:

• Ideal qualities of a developer
• Recruitment advice for attracting the right developers

By making insightful and intelligent decisions based on this information, API providers are better able to support their REST APIs.

Industry Expertise

We at Skuad cater to various sectors - Edutech, Fintech, Healthcare, Logistics & Transport, Retail & Ecommerce, Travel, Banking, Media, and more. From selecting to onboarding, invoicing, compliances, and taxation, we act as your local HR to manage the day-to-day operations related to your overseas employees.

Talk to Skuad experts today!