Most people are unaware of API and its workings. They think it's a cool new abbreviation that makes texting easier. They need to find out it's a powerful technology that can do amazing things. APIs are now widely used in everyday applications.
Like Yelp, it assists businesses in discovering nearby restaurants, plumbers, or car mechanics. Most of us use APIs regularly without realizing it.
Every time you share a blog post, an article, or a recipe, you use an API and click on the tiny Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn icons typically found at the top or in the sidebar. Now that you have a basic understanding of APIs let's discuss APIs in Salesforce.
What is an API and How Does it Work?
API stands for "Application Programming Interface" A software bridge called an API enables the communication between two applications. In other words, an API serves as a messenger, delivering your request to the service provider and returning it to you after receiving the provider's response.
Here's a simple explanation of how APIs work:
Even though web APIs are the most common, it's essential to remember that APIs aren't limited to the web. There is an API for every machine or system that expects to interact with other devices or systems.
How Many Types of APIs are There in Salesforce?
The following are the types of APIs in Salesforce:
REST API
REST stands for "Representational State Transfer". REST API is a lightweight and less intensive type of Salesforce APIs.
Without having to create a WSDL file, REST allows you to connect your external application to your Salesforce organization. JSON can be used to return results because it is quicker and smaller than XML.
SOAP API
SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a standardized messaging protocol that is the foundation for most modern APIs. It was the first Salesforce API before Apex took over as the primary programming language.
The ability to update, add, or remove records and return search results from a third-party application are crucial features. It needs very little maintenance once it is set up.
Due to its ability to handle massive amounts of data, it is popular among large enterprises. It uses XML and HTTP as WSDL (Web Service Description Language) to communicate requests.
Bulk API
The bulk API is a REST-based feature for batch-processing large amounts of data. It can also handle processing millions of records using your application, depending on the requirements of your client.
Apex REST API
Apex REST API makes Apex methods accessible via REST, allowing programmers to create REST-based web services using Apex code.
Apex SOAP API
Make your main Salesforce Apex code and architecture available to outside developers via SOAP using this API. This API can convert some Apex classes and methods into web services.
METADATA API
The Metadata API is used to develop tools and manage customization in your Salesforce organization rather than managing data stored in the system.
Chatter REST API
This API can access social media data and chatter feeds using REST.
Streaming API
The Streaming API offers improved performance and less use of API limits. The Streaming API functions fundamentally by broadcasting messages about data changes to a topic that your code can listen to.
Tooling API
This API is useful for creating unique development tools for Force.com applications.
Most Common Examples of Salesforce APIs Uses
We concentrate on a significant archipelago of frequently used APIs—a sea of APIs in Salesforce. These include Streaming API, SOAP API, Bulk API, and REST API.
They combine to form the Salesforce data APIs. While other APIs enable you to perform tasks like customizing page layouts or creating unique development tools, their main function is to allow you to manipulate your Salesforce data.
You can use other Salesforce APIs to manipulate subsets of your Salesforce data, too. The REST API for analytics, for example, is analytics-specific. But these four APIs apply to the majority of the fundamental Salesforce data.
SOAP vs REST API in Salesforce: A comparison
There is quite a difference between SOAP & REST APIs in Salesforce. Some of the basic differences are discussed below:
SOAP API | REST API |
|---|---|
SOAP API has protocols, so it has official standards. | REST APIs are not subject to any official standards because they are considered to be architectural styles. |
SOAP API is dependent on web services that are HTTP or XML-based. | REST APIs use different standards, including HTTP, JSON, XML, URL, and others. |
It employs a different interface and a set of consistent messaging patterns to carry out operations. | It employs a consistent interface with resource names to access data. |
Service interfaces like @WebService are used by SOAP API. | A URL interface like @path is used by REST API. |
SOAP API supports XML data messages. | REST API supports JSON data. |
Why Are APIs So Popular Among Business Owners?
Today's technology is capable of adapting to the needs of businesses in a variety of industries. Moving to APIs has two major advantages for any business: faster response times and better internal operations.
Agility is essential to meeting customer demands and preserving a competitive edge in a world that is becoming increasingly modern. By using APIs' connected and cross-organizational nature, you can enhance the operations and services of your business.
Some reasons for the popularity of APIs are listed below:
How Can You Get the Most Out of Using Salesforce APIs?
If you want to get the most out of APIs in Salesforce, then follow the following tips:
Final Thoughts
APIs are a game changer in the world of cutting-edge software. The growth of the API economy has made it possible for software companies to incorporate crucial functionality more quickly than in the past, which could have required months or years of coding.
Additionally, it has enabled end users to link their best-of-breed apps and allow free data transfer between them using API calls.
APIs in Salesforce can help you build custom applications on top of the data without needing to modify or rewrite new code. Because of this, companies can benefit from new technologies and solutions.
The best thing about APIs in Salesforce is that they are free. Well, there are some limitations, but your business can reap its benefits!
