Posts tagged "api"

Three serious API paradigms, three different shapes. We compare schema definition, network footprint, tooling, and which problem each one was actually designed to solve.

JSON Schema gives you contract-driven validation for any JSON payload. We walk through the spec, the keywords that matter, and how it powers OpenAPI and Zod.

API keys are the workhorse of server-to-server authentication, but a leaked key can mean thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges. Here's how they actually work, where to store them, and how to design rotation that survives contact with reality.

Webhooks are deceptively simple — until your handler processes the same charge twice or accepts a forged event. Here's the production reality: HMAC signing, idempotency, backoff, and replay defense.

JSON took over the web API world, but XML still powers enterprise integrations, configuration files, and document formats. Here is a clear-eyed comparison to help you choose the right one.

HTTP headers carry critical information about authentication, caching, content type, and security — yet many developers only interact with them when something goes wrong. This reference covers the most important ones.

Rate limiting is invisible when it works and infuriating when it is misconfigured. Understanding the underlying algorithms helps you implement limits that protect your API without frustrating legitimate users.

OAuth 2.0 is the standard behind every "Sign in with Google" button — yet the underlying flow confuses many developers. This post maps out exactly what happens behind the scenes.

REST, GraphQL, and WebSockets each solve a different category of problem. Picking the wrong one adds complexity without benefit. Here is how to think through the choice for your specific use case.

Is that a 401 or a 403? A 404 or a 410? HTTP status codes have precise meanings that most developers only half-remember. Here is the definitive guide with practical guidance on when to use each.

A badly designed API is a source of endless frustration. These battle-tested REST API design principles help you build endpoints that are intuitive, maintainable, and future-proof.

A JWT looks like random text until you decode it — then you find a header, a payload, and a signature. This post explains exactly what each part does and why that matters for security.

JSON is the lingua franca of modern web APIs, but its deceptively simple syntax trips up beginners in subtle ways. This guide walks through every rule with practical examples.