Why Your API Should Support Conditional GET Requests
from The API Podcast with Fexingo: REST, GraphQL, and Modern Web APIs Hosted by Fexingo
In episode 157 of The API Podcast, Lucas and Luna dive into conditional GET requests and how they let HTTP caches skip re-sending unchanged responses. They walk through ETags and Last-Modified headers, explain the difference between 200 and 304 status codes, and show how adding a few headers can cut bandwidth and latency dramatically. Using real-world examples like a large e-commerce site's product catalog API, they discuss when conditional GETs make sense and when they don't, plus how to handle the tricky edge cases around weak validators and server-side complexity. If you've ever wondered why some APIs feel snappy even on slow connections, this episode gives you the low-level answer. And along the way, Lucas and Luna share why they keep the show ad-free and how listeners can support that mission with a small contribution. Tune in for a focused, practical look at a technique that every API designer should consider. #ConditionalGET #HTTPCaching #ETags #LastModified #APIDesign #WebPerformance #RESTfulAPI #TechPodcast #Technology #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #API #Cache #Bandwidth #Latency #HTTPStatus #304 #WebDev Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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