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Sharon Jason

Learn how to access and create web APIs.

This course is designed for learners who have experience with JavaScript. The modules in this course cover accessing web APIs and creating simple web servers.

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Learn how to access and create web APIs.

This course is designed for learners who have experience with JavaScript. The modules in this course cover accessing web APIs and creating simple web servers.

To allow for a truly hands-on, self-paced learning experience, this course is video-free. Assignments contain short explanations with images and runnable code examples with suggested edits to explore code examples further, building a deeper understanding by doing. You’ll benefit from instant feedback from a variety of assessment items along the way, gently progressing from quick understanding checks (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and un-scrambling code blocks) to slowly building features, resulting in large coding projects at the end of the course.

Course Learning Objectives:

API Protocols

HTTP Servers

Authentication

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What's inside

Syllabus

API Protocols
Welcome to Week 1 of Software Engineering: API Development. These assignments will cover basic API principles, REST APIs and show you how to create a simple HTTP client. The final assignment has coding exercises that cover what you have learned.
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HTTP Servers
Welcome to Week 2 of Software Engineering: API Development. These assignments show you how to create a simple HTTP Server, more advanced server features and API error handling. The final assignment contains coding exercises that cover what you have learned.
Best Practices for Web APIs
Welcome to Week 3 of Software Engineering: API Development. These assignments cover various API topics such as security basics, OAuth security, documenting your API, and other best practices for API development. The final assignment contains coding exercises that cover what you have learned.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a hands-on, self-paced learning experience through video-free assignments with interactive code examples for deeper understanding
In-depth exploration of API development fundamentals, including API protocols, HTTP servers, authentication, and best practices
Suitable for learners with experience in JavaScript, providing a solid foundation for building web APIs
Assignments progress gradually from understanding checks to large coding projects, fostering a strong foundation in API development
Provides instant feedback through various assessment items, aiding in the reinforcement of concepts
Covers HTTP servers, API error handling, security basics, OAuth security, and API documentation, addressing key aspects of API development

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in API Development with these activities:
Volunteer at a tech meetup or conference
Volunteer at a tech meetup or conference to meet other API developers and learn about new technologies.
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Show steps
  • Find a tech meetup or conference
  • Register to volunteer
  • Attend the event and help out
Review HTTP and REST concepts
Review the basics of HTTP and REST to ensure a solid understanding before starting the course.
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Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos on HTTP
  • Review the REST architectural style
Practice using HTTPie
Learn how to use HTTPie, a command-line HTTP client, to send HTTP requests and receive responses.
Show steps
  • Install HTTPie
  • Send a GET request to a website
  • Parse the response body
  • Send a POST request with data
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Build a RESTful API with Express.js
Follow a tutorial to create a RESTful API using Express.js, a popular Node.js framework for building web applications.
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Show steps
  • Create a new Express.js application
  • Define routes for HTTP GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE requests
  • Use a database to store and retrieve data
  • Test your API using Postman or a similar tool
Create a documentation for a web API
Create a comprehensive documentation for a web API, including descriptions of endpoints, request and response formats, and examples.
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Show steps
  • Gather information about the API
  • Use a tool like Swagger or OpenAPI to generate documentation
  • Write clear and concise descriptions of endpoints
  • Include examples of request and response payloads
Create a presentation on web API best practices
Create a presentation that covers best practices for developing and maintaining web APIs, such as security, performance, and documentation.
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Show steps
  • Research web API best practices
  • Create a presentation outline
  • Develop slides and visuals
  • Rehearse the presentation
Implement authentication for a web API
Implement authentication mechanisms for a web API, such as OAuth 2.0, to protect it from unauthorized access.
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Show steps
  • Choose an authentication mechanism
  • Configure the authentication mechanism
  • Test the authentication mechanism
  • Secure the API endpoints
Contribute to an open-source web API project
Make contributions to an open-source web API project on GitHub, such as documentation improvements, bug fixes, or new features.
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Show steps
  • Find an open-source web API project
  • Fork the project and make changes
  • Create a pull request
  • Respond to feedback and make revisions

Career center

Learners who complete API Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Web Developer
Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications. They work on the front-end and back-end of websites, ensuring that they are both visually appealing and functional. This course can help you build a foundation in API development, which is a key skill for Web Developers. You will learn how to access and create web APIs, which are essential for building modern web applications.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers create and maintain the software that runs our world. They work on a wide range of projects, from developing new applications to maintaining existing systems. This course can help you build a foundation in API development, which is a key skill for Software Engineers. You will learn how to access and create web APIs, which are essential for building modern software applications.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to help businesses make informed decisions. They use a variety of tools and techniques to extract insights from data, and they often work with APIs to access data from different sources. This course can help you build a foundation in API development, which is a key skill for Data Analysts. You will learn how to access and create web APIs, which are essential for working with data from different sources.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the planning, development, and launch of new products. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to bring new products to market. This course can help you build a foundation in API development, which is a key skill for Product Managers. You will learn how to access and create web APIs, which are essential for building modern software products.
UX Designer
UX Designers are responsible for the user experience of websites and apps. They work to make sure that websites and apps are easy to use and enjoyable to use. This course can help you build a foundation in API development, which is a key skill for UX Designers. You will learn how to access and create web APIs, which are essential for building modern websites and apps.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create documentation for software and other technical products. They work with engineers and other technical experts to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise way. This course can help you build a foundation in API development, which is a key skill for Technical Writers. You will learn how to access and create web APIs, which are essential for documenting modern software products.
IT Specialist
IT Specialists provide technical support to businesses and organizations. They work on a wide range of IT issues, from hardware and software problems to network and security issues. This course can help you build a foundation in API development, which is a key skill for IT Specialists. You will learn how to access and create web APIs, which are essential for troubleshooting and resolving IT issues.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts help businesses improve their operations by analyzing data and identifying areas for improvement. They work with stakeholders to define business requirements and develop solutions to business problems. This course can help you build a foundation in API development, which is a key skill for Business Analysts. You will learn how to access and create web APIs, which are essential for gathering and analyzing data from different sources.
Network Administrator
Network Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining networks. They work with engineers and other technical experts to ensure that networks are running smoothly and efficiently. This course may be useful for Network Administrators who want to learn more about how APIs can be used to improve network management processes.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers are responsible for leading sales teams and achieving sales targets. They work with a variety of stakeholders to develop and implement sales strategies. This course may be useful for Sales Managers who want to learn more about how APIs can be used to improve sales processes.
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with a variety of stakeholders to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality. This course may be useful for Project Managers who want to learn more about how APIs can be used to improve project management processes.
Security Analyst
Security Analysts are responsible for protecting networks and systems from security threats. They work with engineers and other technical experts to identify and mitigate security risks. This course may be useful for Security Analysts who want to learn more about how APIs can be used to improve security processes.
Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality Assurance Analysts are responsible for testing software and other products to ensure that they meet quality standards. They work with engineers and other technical experts to identify and fix bugs. This course may be useful for Quality Assurance Analysts who want to learn more about how APIs can be used to improve testing processes.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining databases. They work with engineers and other technical experts to ensure that databases are running smoothly and efficiently. This course may be useful for Database Administrators who want to learn more about how APIs can be used to improve database management processes.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for planning and executing marketing campaigns. They work with a variety of teams to develop and implement marketing strategies. This course may be useful for Marketing Managers who want to learn more about how APIs can be used to improve marketing campaigns.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in API Development.
Classic guide to software design patterns. It covers everything from creational patterns to structural patterns to behavioral patterns.
Classic guide to software project management. It covers everything from team dynamics to risk management.
Provides a comprehensive overview of RESTful web APIs, including their design, implementation, and security. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this important technology.
Provides a practical guide to implementing site reliability engineering (SRE) principles in your organization.
Practical guide to writing clean and maintainable code. It covers everything from code formatting to design patterns.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the HTTP protocol. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how the web works.

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