API terms

This page contains the terms related to REST API.

Below is a glossary explaining common terms related to API usage, HTTP protocols, and the tools that facilitate API interaction.

Term	Description
API Key	A unique identifier used to authenticate requests to an API. It serves as a security measure to ensure that the requester is authorized to access the API. This term is also known as API Token, authorization token, or simply token.
Authentication	The process of verifying the identity of a user or system making a request to ensure they are who they claim to be.
Authorization	The process of determining whether the authenticated user has the necessary permissions to access a resource or perform an action.
Code Snippets	Pre-written segments of code that demonstrate how to make requests to an API in different programming languages, making integration easier for developers.
Content Type	The type of data being sent or received, such as JSON (application/json) or XML (application/xml). It helps the server understand how to process the data.
CORS	A security feature implemented by browsers to restrict web pages from making requests to domains other than the one that served the web page.
cURL	A command-line tool used to send HTTP requests. It’s often used for testing APIs, particularly to retrieve data or perform operations directly from the terminal.
Endpoint	A specific URL path where an API can be accessed. It represents a function or resource available via the API.
HTTP Method	The action to be performed on a resource via an HTTP request. Common methods include GET (retrieve), POST (create), PUT (update), DELETE (delete).
Pagination	A method used to divide large sets of data into pages. This allows users to view manageable portions of data, such as the first 10 or 20 items per page.
Parameters	Data sent in the request to provide additional context or information to the API. Parameters can be in the URL, body, or header of the request.
Path	The part of the URL that specifies the resource or action to be performed. For example, in api.example.com/users, /users is the path.
Postman	A popular tool used to test APIs. It provides a user-friendly interface for sending requests, viewing responses, and organizing API documentation.
Postman Collection	A group of related API requests that can be executed together, often used to document and share API workflows and testing procedures.
Query	A specific type of parameter that appears in the URL after a question mark (?), typically used for filtering or sorting data. Example: ?category=books.
Rate Limits	Restrictions on how many requests can be made to an API in a given period of time, intended to prevent abuse and ensure fair use of resources.
Request	A message sent from the client to the server asking for some action, such as retrieving data or performing an operation.
Response	The message sent by the server in reply to a request, which typically contains the requested data or a status message about the action performed.