A successful API connection can help your business thrive, but the wrong types of APIs can cause unnecessary frustration. Between complicated apps, data that won’t integrate, and software products that don’t connect, you’re stuck in the middle of it all, trying to figure it out.

With the correct API integration, you can seamlessly connect your data.

However, not all APIs are created equally.

What is an API?

An Application Programming Interface, better known as API, is the connection point between your apps. APIs allow you to transfer data between your apps, making it possible for the different facets of your business to communicate.

For example, your order payment system may be different from your shipping system, and that may be different from your inventory system. However, all three of these must work together to keep your order process running smoothly. The right API integration platform allows you to gather data from all these systems, so you know exactly how much was paid, for which product, when it was shipped, and how much stock remains.

Because so much of your business process depends on the transferring of data, it’s important to make sure you’re using the right type of API and API integration platform. Whether you’re creating a new API or are looking for an API switch, it’s important to know the benefits and limitations of each API so you can make an informed decision for your business.

Types of APIs

The type of API you choose to use for your data connections depends on the amount of data being processed, how quickly you need the data to be exchanged, and the amount of security your information needs. Choosing the wrong API can negatively impact your future data connections, so it’s paramount that you select the correct type.

REST API

The most common type of API is a REST API, or representational state transfer API. This API usually connects software systems, apps, and web services using basic HTTP methods, and helps to simplify communication between your apps.

REST API Benefits

  • Straightforward and scalable
  • Uses HTTP features
  • Caching abilites
  • Can also translate JSON or XML formats
  • More control over the data you receive

REST API Limitations

  • The data returned may be extensive and not exactly what you need (known as over-fetching or under-fetching)
  • Best used for simple action (create, read, update, and delete) instead of command functions
  • Limited security and relies on HTTPS for encryption
  • Less suited for multi-step workflows

SOAP API

The second most popular type of API is the SOAP API, or simple object access protocol API. This protocol is most common for web services and uses XML (Extensible Markup Language) to allow your app to communicate. SOAP APIs require a Web Services Description Language document to define strict parameters.

SOAP API Benefits

  • Highly structured messages
  • Allows for multi-step workflows
  • Flexibility in non-web environments
  • Built-in security measures

SOAP API Limitations

  • Only supports XML
  • Slower load times due to the massive amount of data and lack of caching
  • Complex to learn
  • Relies on tools like WSDL parsers and code generators

GRAPH API

Popular among developers, GRAPH APIs allow you to pare down the information you want, so the data returned is exactly what you need. This is commonly used for JSON and is more complex to build than the more traditional REST API.

GRAPH API Benefits

  • Can return more specific data
  • Auto-generating API documentation allows for better discoverability
  • Can retrieve data from multiple sources as long as they’re on the same server
  • Compatible with JSON and served over HTTP

GRAPH API Limitations

  • Harder to build and more complex to use
  • Fewer resources for implementation help
  • Only one endpoint, making control and security measures difficult

RPC API

The RPC API, or remote procedural call API, can use both JSON and XML, and is best used when you have complex requests or need to trigger the server remotely.

RPC API Benefits

  • Can be used in local and remote environments
  • Can send multiple requests at one time
  • Faster load times for your site
  • High performance—returns exactly the information you need

RPC API Limitations

  • No flexibility for the architect
  • Not well-standardized
  • Does not support hyperlinks
  • Does not support nested structures

API Integration with eOne Solutions

Now that you understand the difference between these types of APIs, the next step is to find an API integration platform to help you understand all your data.

eOne API Integration Capabilities

Configure your connection with your data and your API using integration tools from eOne Solutions, and then use the configurable interface to create your integrations. While eOne’s tools offer pre-built connections to on-premise and cloud applications, you can also use the configurable API connection setup to:

  • Create REST service definitions or import existing REST definitions for use as a connection.
  • Design REST service definitions that access a specific portion of an API or create entries for every endpoint.
  • Specify entities and methods to use as a source or destination.
  • Export any created REST service definitions for use in other instances.

Closing Thoughts

Choosing the right API for your business requirements is essential to the ongoing success of your workflow. Don’t let poor API integration disrupt your data connections; let the experts at eOne Solutions help with your API integration.