How to Build an API

In this episode, Scott and Wes talk about creating APIs — what’s happening behind the scenes and why it’s important. Sanity - Sponsor Sanity.io is a real-time headless CMS with a fully customizable Content Studio built in React. Get a Sanity powered site up and running in minutes at sanity.io/create. Get an awesome supercharged free developer plan on sanity.io/syntax. Sentry - Sponsor If you want to know what’s happening with your errors, track them with Sentry. Sentry is open-source error tracking that helps developers monitor and fix crashes in real time. Cut your time on error resolution from five hours to five minutes. It works with any language and integrates with dozens of other services. Syntax listeners can get two months for free by visiting Sentry and using the coupon code “tastytreat”. Show Notes 2:15 - How do you build an API from scratch? 3:54 - Choose an API type REST GraphQL 8:15 - Setup some sort of server that will accept requests and send responses Express Koa Meteor 11:11 - Document the endpoints What is the end point What parameters are required Filters Sorting Headers required What you get back when you hit this endpoint Any request limits Examples in common languages JS PHP Ruby 21:20 - Naming Make it obvious 27:39 - Securing Only accept requests from logged-in users oAuth Cookie/Session jwt API key CORS Check roles - access level Syntax 055: Hasty Treat - User Role Systems 32:42 - Protecting Rate limit Whitelist / blacklist Cloudflare 36:00 - Write resolvers Modify data if needed Send back the data requested Send back the correct HTTP code Log what happened 37:56 - Tools Postman Swagger Links Stripe ××× SIIIIICK ××× PIIIICKS ××× Scott: Hoax Podcast Wes: Solar Lights Shameless Plugs Scott: LevelUpTutorials Pro - Advanced Gatsby & Shopify Wes: All Courses - Use the coupon code ‘Syntax’ for $10 off! Tweet us your tasty treats! Scott’s Instagram LevelUpTutorials Instagram Wes’ Instagram Wes’ Twitter Wes’ Facebook Scott’s Twitter Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets