THE SYSTEM DESIGN CHEAT SHEET: API STYLES

Summary from the TLDR Web Dev newsletter

A well-designed API can enhance performance, while a poorly designed API can cause a multitude of issues, such as bottlenecks and security vulnerabilities. Different API styles include REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, Webhook, RPC (gRPC), and SOAP. This article breaks down different API styles and explores the key features and drawbacks of each API type. For example, GraphQL offers flexibility by allowing clients to specify their data requirements and is suitable for scenarios with complex frontend needs.