In the lifecycle of web applications, there are also times when there is a big need for third-party integrations. The simplest way for this is exposing consumption for REST API.
Building an API with Ruby on Rails will correspond to an application of task management. It contains User model that will represent users who have system access, Project model representing projects, and To-do model to represent specific tasks needed to be accomplished in a project. Users may have a lot of Projects and Projects can have more To-dos.
Basic API in Rails
Routes
Rails is providing an excellent tool in defining endpoints through routes.
1. ApiDemoApplication::App.routes.draw do
2. scope ‘/api’ do
3. scope ‘/v1’ do
4. scope ‘/projects’ do
5. get ‘/’ => ‘api_projects#index’
6. post ‘/’ => ‘api_projects#create’
7. scope ‘/:name’ do
8. get ‘/’ => ‘api_projects#show’
9. put ‘/’ => ‘api_projects#update’
10. scope ‘/todos’ do
11. get ‘/’ => ‘api_todos#index’
12. post ‘/’ => ‘api_todos#create’
13. scope ‘/:todo_name’ do
14. get ‘/’ => ‘api_todos#show’
15. put ‘/’ => ‘api_todos#update’
16. end
17. end
18. end
19. end
- Naming
- Versioning
- Route Parameters
.
Controllers
API controllers are useful in handling authentication and extracting common API functions. Common approach is requiring re-authentication.
- BaseController and Authentication
- Security
- Projects Controller
- Defensive Programming
- HTTP Status Codes
- Code DRY
Better Way
Extracting common functionality of API endpoints to the BaseApiController, turning the “create” “update” methods to update_values and validations of Project JSON to validate_json, introduce multi-tiered hierarchy of inheritance to controllers, and ApiProjectsController will inherit from ApiProjectRouteController.
Custom Behavior
The system will be having its own sets of predetermined behaviors but if it is possible to expose them through the API, the existing behavior of the application may clash.
Debugging
No code has ever been first on first trial. It is important to have a detailed analysis of tools and scope. It’s worthy to take notes of the commands to allow crafting of requests on arbitrary endpoints.
Testing
Controller tests are the simplest way to unique API behavior and maintain Database models. Controller tests do not significantly differ from usual models of controller endpoint testing.
Building an API with Ruby on Rails mostly covers how to expose endpoints, how to route, and how to let custom behavior. Its normal scope is the application, programming, and interface aspects. API is never a less powerful acronym only. In the modern world today, these kinds of abbreviations like API are becoming ubiquitous in the business language. Building API with Ruby on Rails drives the force behind almost all virtually social platforms.
Its concept is complicated but in simplest terms and in a not-so technical term, APIs are precise specifications that are written by service providers whom programmers need to follow. Using Ruby on Rails as its language framework describes its functionality well and how it can be used through existing formats. API is just like a middleman between an application and a programmer who accepts requests and returns data.
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