Glossary

The following terms are used in APItoolkit's documentation to describe different API monitoring and observability concepts.

API (Application Programming Interface)

An API is a set of defined rules and protocols that enable different software applications to communicate with each other. It allows one system to request services or data from another system, and receive the response in a structured and standardized way.

API Monitoring

API monitoring refers to the practice of continuously checking and evaluating the performance, availability, and functionality of APIs. It involves tracking various metrics and parameters to ensure that an API is operating as expected and to identify any issues or anomalies that may arise.

API Observability

API observability refers to the ability to gain insights into the internal workings of an API and its interactions within a system. It involves collecting, analyzing, and visualizing data to understand how an API is performing and how it is being used. Observability goes beyond basic monitoring by providing deeper visibility into the system's behavior and helping to diagnose and troubleshoot issues more effectively.

API Analytics

API Analytics refers to the process of collecting and analyzing data related to the usage and performance of application programming interfaces (APIs). It involves monitoring and measuring various metrics such as API calls, response times, errors, user behavior, etc. to gain insights and make informed decisions.

API Logs

API logs refer to the records of requests and events on the endpoints of an API. They provide detailed information about API requests and responses, errors, and other significant events that occur during the API's operation. API logs are crucial for debugging, monitoring, and maintaining APIs, as they offer insights into the behavior and performance of the API.

API Metrics

API metrics refer to quantitative measurements used to assess the performance, health, and usage of an API. These metrics provide insights into how well the API is functioning and how it is being utilized, helping developers and operations teams to monitor and optimize its performance.

API Testing

API Testing refers to the process of evaluating and verifying the functionality, reliability, and performance of an API. It involves checking the communication between different software components, ensuring that the API functions as intended and meets the specified requirements. API Testing helps identify bugs, errors, and inconsistencies in the API, ensuring its seamless integration and smooth operation with other systems.

Asynchronous API

An Asynchronous API is a type of API that allows for non-blocking communication between systems. It allows long-running operations to run in the background without pausing the application and notify the client of the result once the processing is complete.

Anomaly

An anomaly is any user activity (requests) on your API that is significantly different from previously tracked activities. This might surface as increased response times, error rates, or downtimes, and can be caused by a variety of conditions such as API changes, server issues, network issues, or security threats.

API Blueprint

API Blueprint is a high-level documentation format for describing web APIs, providing a clear syntax for defining the API's endpoints, requests, and responses.

API Call

An API call refers to a request made by a software application to access and retrieve data or perform a specific function from an external API. It involves sending a specific set of instructions or parameters to the API server and receiving a response in return.

API Caching

API caching is the process of temporarily storing data from an API response to improve performance and reduce the load on the server. It involves saving the response data in a cache so that subsequent requests for the same data can be served from the cache instead of making a new request to the API. This helps to minimize network latency and improve overall system efficiency.

API Client

An API client refers to a software application or program that interacts with an API to access and utilize the functionalities and data provided by the API. It acts as a bridge between the user and the API, facilitating the exchange of requests and responses. The API client is responsible for making the necessary HTTP requests, handling authentication, and processing the received data from the API.

API Consumption

API Consumption refers to the process of using or integrating an API within an application or system, focusing on how end-users or client applications utilize the services provided by the API.

API Dependency

API Dependency refers to a situation where an application or service relies on another external API for its operations, which can impact the application's functionality if the external API changes or becomes unavailable.

API Documentation

API Documentation refers to a set of written instructions and guidelines that provide detailed information on how to use and interact with an API. It includes descriptions of the various functions, methods, parameters, and data formats supported by the API, enabling developers to understand and effectively utilize the API in their applications.

API Economy

API Economy refers to the ecosystem created by the widespread use of APIs in various industries. It involves the exchange of data and services between different software applications, enabling seamless integration and collaboration. This economy promotes innovation, efficiency, and scalability by allowing businesses to leverage the functionalities of third-party APIs to enhance their own products and services.

API Ecosystem

An API Ecosystem refers to the network of APIs and stakeholders (providers, consumers, developers) involved in creating, managing, and using APIs, forming a community around the API services.

API Endpoint

An API Endpoint is a specific URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) that serves as a point of entry for accessing a web service or API. It acts as a gateway for sending requests and receiving responses, allowing different systems to communicate and exchange data. Each endpoint is associated with a specific function or data.

API Error Codes

API Error Codes are numerical or alphanumeric identifiers that indicate specific errors or issues encountered during the use or integration of an API. These codes are used to provide detailed information about the type and cause of the error, helping developers or users troubleshoot and resolve the problem efficiently.

API Framework

API Framework refers to a structured system that provides a set of tools, protocols, and libraries for building and managing APIs. It acts as a foundation for developers to create, organize, and deploy APIs, enabling seamless communication between different software applications.

API Gateway

An API Gateway is a server that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other services. It manages and routes requests to the appropriate services and can also perform tasks such as load balancing, access control, and error handling.

API Integration

API Integration refers to the process of connecting and combining different software systems or applications through the use of APIs. It allows these systems to communicate and share data seamlessly, enabling them to work together and perform tasks efficiently. This integration simplifies workflows, enhances productivity, and improves the overall functionality of the interconnected software systems.

API Key

An API key is a unique identifier or code that is provided by an API provider. It is used to authenticate and authorize access to the API's functionalities and resources. The API key acts as a secret token that allows developers to securely interact with the API and retrieve or manipulate data.

API Marketplace

An API Marketplace is an online platform where API providers can publish and monetize their APIs, and where developers can discover, evaluate, and subscribe to these APIs for use in their applications.

API Mashup

An API Mashup is a combination of data or functionality from two or more APIs to create a new service, often resulting in enhanced user experience or new capabilities.

API Middleware

API Middleware is software that sits between the API and the client, handling tasks like request routing, authentication, rate limiting, and data transformation.

API Mocking

API Mocking refers to the practice of simulating the behavior of an API (Application Programming Interface) during software development and testing. It involves creating a fake version of the API that mimics its responses and functionality, allowing developers to test their code without relying on the actual API. This enables faster and more efficient testing, as it eliminates the need for constant communication with the real API.

API Proxy

An API Proxy is an intermediary which sits between the API and the client, and acts as a gatekeeper to the API, filtering requests and responses to and from the API.

API Rate Limit

API Rate Limit refers to the maximum number of requests that can be made to an API within a specified period. It is a restriction imposed by the API provider to prevent abuse, ensure fair usage, and maintain the performance and availability of the API. Exceeding the rate limit may result in denied access or throttling of requests.

API Sandbox

API Sandbox is a controlled environment or platform provided by an API provider to developers for testing and experimenting with their applications or software. It allows developers to simulate real-world scenarios and interactions with the API without affecting the production environment.

API Security

API Security refers to the measures and practices implemented to protect an API from unauthorized access, data breaches, and other malicious activities. It involves authentication, authorization, encryption, and other techniques to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the APIs and the data they handle.

API Server

An API server is a software application that acts as an intermediary between different software systems, allowing them to communicate and exchange data. It provides a set of rules and protocols for how applications can interact with each other, enabling seamless integration and interoperability. The API server handles requests and responses, ensuring that data is transferred efficiently and securely.

API Throttling

API Throttling refers to the practice of limiting the number of requests or actions a user or application can make to an API within a specific period. It is a mechanism used to prevent overload and ensure fair usage of the API's resources. Throttling helps maintain the stability and performance of the API by controlling the rate at which requests are processed.

API Token

An API token is a unique identifier or code that is used to authenticate and authorize access to an API. It acts as a digital key, allowing users or applications to securely communicate with the API and perform specific actions or retrieve certain information.

API Version Control

API Version Control involves managing changes and versions of an API to ensure smooth transitions and compatibility between different versions of the API.

API Versioning

API Versioning refers to the practice of creating and managing different versions of an API. It allows developers to make changes and updates to the API without disrupting existing users. By assigning different version numbers, developers can ensure compatibility and provide a smooth transition for users when new features or functionalities are introduced.

API Wrapper

An API wrapper is a software module or library that simplifies the process of making requests to an API by providing pre-defined functions and methods. It acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the API, abstracting away the complexities of the API's underlying structure and allowing for easier integration and interaction with the API's functionalities.

Authentication

The process of verifying the identity of a user or system before granting access to an API. This can involve various methods like API keys, tokens, or OAuth. For example, an API might require a valid token in the request header to ensure that the requestor has permission to access the data or functionality.

Continuous Deployment (CD)

Continuous Deployment is a software development practice where every code change goes through the entire pipeline and is automatically deployed to production, ensuring that new features and changes are released rapidly.

Continuous Integration (CI)

Continuous Integration is a software development practice where developers frequently merge their code changes into a central repository, followed by automated builds and tests.

CORS is a mechanism that allows resources (such as fonts, images, and scripts) on a web page to be requested from another domain outside the domain from which the resource originated. CORS is used to prevent web pages from making unauthorized cross-origin requests and ensures that resources are only accessed by trusted origins.

CRUD Operations

CRUD Operations refer to the basic functions performed on a database or data storage system. CRUD stands for Create, Read, Update, and Delete, which represent the four fundamental actions that can be performed on data. These operations allow users to manage and manipulate data within a system. For example, a RESTful API for a blog might include endpoints to create a new post (Create: POST and PUT), retrieve posts (Read: GET), update an existing post (Update: PUT and PATCH), and delete a post (Delete: DELETE).

DSL (Domain Specific Language)

A DSL (Domain Specific Language) is a programming language that is specifically designed for a particular domain or problem (e.g., SQL for database queries).

Endpoint Security

This refers to securing the endpoints or entry points of an API from unauthorized access and attacks. It involves implementing security measures like encryption, authentication, and authorization at each endpoint to safeguard the API.

GET Request

A GET request is a type of HTTP request that is used to retrieve data from a server. It is commonly used when a user wants to access a web page or retrieve specific information from a database.

Idempotent API

An idempotent API is a type of application programming interface that can be called multiple times without causing different outcomes or side effects. This means that regardless of how many times the API is invoked, the result will be the same as if it were only called once. It ensures consistency and reliability in the execution of operations. Idempotent APIs are particularly important in distributed systems where the same request might be accidentally sent multiple times due to network issues or other uncertainties.

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)

JSON is a lightweight data-interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write, as well as easy for machines to parse and generate. JSON is widely used for transmitting data between a server and a web application, or between different parts of a web application. Its simplicity and effectiveness in structuring data have made it a popular choice in API development, particularly for APIs that are used in web services and applications.

JSONPath

JSONPath is a query language used to select and extract data from JSON files. It provides a concise syntax that allows you to specify paths to specific elements within a JSON structure, facilitating data access and manipulation.

Latency

Latency is the amount of time it takes for a packet of data to travel from one place (source) to another (destination).

Load Balancing

Load Balancing is a process in computer networks and applications that distributes workloads across multiple computing resources, such as servers or network links, to optimize resource use, maximize throughput, reduce response time, and avoid overload on any single resource.

Microservices Architecture

Microservices architecture is an approach to software development where an application is built as a collection of small, loosely coupled services that can be independently developed, deployed, and scaled. Each service is responsible for a specific business capability and communicates with other services through lightweight mechanisms, such as APIs. This architecture allows for flexibility, scalability, and easier maintenance of complex applications.

OpenAPI Specification

OpenAPI Specification (previously known as the Swagger Specification) is a standardized format used for describing and documenting RESTful APIs. It provides a clear and machine-readable way to define the endpoints, request/response formats, and authentication methods of an API. This specification enables both humans and computers to discover and understand the capabilities of a service.

Outgoing Request

An outgoing request is an API request made from one server to another (e.g., a request to an external API inside another API).

Percentile

A percentile is a statistical term that indicates the value below which a specific percentage of data points fall in comparison to the remainder of the data. For example, a value at the 75th percentile indicates that 75% of the data points are below that value and 25% are above it. Percentiles are commonly used to analyze the distribution of a dataset and to identify outliers or anomalies. Common percentiles include: 25th percentile (Q1), 50th percentile (median or Q2), 75th percentile (Q3), 90th percentile, 95th percentile, and 99th percentile.

POST Request

A POST request is a type of HTTP request method that is used to send data to a server to create or update a resource. It is commonly used in web applications to submit form data or send data to an API endpoint. The data sent in a POST request is typically included in the body of the request rather than in the URL.

Private API

A private API refers to an application programming interface that is intended for internal use within a specific organization or company. It is not publicly accessible or available for use by external developers or third-party applications. Private APIs are designed to enable communication and data exchange between different software systems or components within the organization, ensuring secure and controlled access to specific functionalities.

Public API

A public API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate and interact with each other. It provides a standardized way for developers to access and use the functionalities and data of a particular software or service, enabling them to integrate it into their applications or build upon it.

PUT Request

A PUT request is a type of HTTP request method used to update or replace an existing resource on a server. It is typically used to modify specific data or properties of a resource, with the request body containing the updated information. The PUT request is idempotent, meaning that multiple identical requests will have the same effect as a single request.

Query Parameters

Query parameters are used in web development to pass information between a client and a server. They are appended to the end of a URL and consist of key-value pairs, separated by an ampersand. These parameters allow for customization and filtering of data requested from a server, such as specifying which page of a paginated dataset to retrieve or filtering a list of resources based on specific criteria.

Rate Limiting

The practice of limiting the number of API requests a user can make in a given time frame. It’s used to control access to an API and prevent abuse. For example, an API might limit clients to 100 requests per minute to maintain service stability.

RESTful API

A RESTful API is a type of application programming interface that follows the principles of Representational State Transfer (REST). It allows communication between different software systems over the internet using standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and others. RESTful API is stateless, meaning each HTTP request happens independently and does not depend on previous requests, and is widely used due to its simplicity, efficiency, and ability to build web services that are lightweight and maintainable.

SaaS API

SaaS API refers to a software-as-a-service application programming interface. It is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate and interact with each other. This enables developers to integrate third-party services or build custom applications on top of a SaaS platform.

Serverless Architecture

Serverless Architecture is a design pattern where the management of servers and infrastructure is fully abstracted away, allowing developers to focus purely on the individual functions in their application code.

SOAP API

SOAP API is an acronym for Simple Object Access Protocol API. It's a communication protocol that allows different software systems to exchange data over the internet using the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP). It uses XML for message format and HTTP for transport, and it's known for its extensibility and independence from operating systems, making it versatile for various applications.

Streaming API

A type of API that allows continuous data transmission between a client and a server. It’s commonly used in applications that require real-time updates, like stock price updates or social media feeds. Data is sent in small 'chunks' without waiting for all data to be available, facilitating live updates.

Token Authentication

A method in API security where a token is used to verify identity and grant access. Typically, a client requests access from an authorization server and, upon successful authentication, receives a token. This token is then used in subsequent requests to access the API.

Throughput

Throughput refers to the rate at which an amount of data is transmitted over a given period.

Webhook

A webhook is a method of communication that allows two applications to exchange data in real time. It involves one application sending a POST request to a specific URL provided by another application, triggering an event or action.

Web Service

A Web Service is a software service used to communicate between two electronic devices over the web. It provides a standardized way of integrating web-based applications using XML, SOAP, WSDL, and UDDI open standards.

WSDL (Web Services Description Language)

WSDL is an XML-based language that provides a standardized way to describe web services and their functionalities, allowing different applications to communicate over a network.

XML (Extensible Markup Language)

XML is a markup language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. XML is widely used for storing and transporting data.

XPath (XML Path Language)

XPath is a language for selecting nodes from an XML document, used in APIs for XML data processing.

XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)

XSS is a security vulnerability in web applications that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into pages viewed by others. Relevant in web API security.