The Vital Bridge in Web3: A Primer on APIs & their importance for Developers
This article provides a simplified explanation of APIs, their role in bridging software systems, and their significance for Web3 applications.
Introduction
In the world of crypto transactions, the seamless information flow between different user platforms is indispensable. However, users seldomly ponder over how their crypto exchange manages to fetch crucial data (like token price or accounts) from a completely different application.
The answer lies in a powerful piece of technology called Application Programming Interface (API). Through APIs, different computer systems are able to effortlessly exchange information among each other. Furthermore, APIs provide a seamless experience that is interconnected and integrated between different databases.
For beginners, understanding the basic meaning and functionality of APIs is essential. While this paragraph aims to provide a quick and concise understanding of APIs, it does not delve into the intricacies of their technical aspects. Main purpose is to offer ordinary users a simplified explanation and overview of APIs in general.
The Role of APIs
APIs are omnipresent and we rely on them on a daily basis. When shopping online, managing bank accounts, or using social media, APIs act as mediators between two different computer servers. In other words, APIs act as a bridge between various software systems, allowing them to work together seamlessly and exchange data.
On a deeper level, APIs often execute data retrieval between a Front-End program and an external Back-End system of a program. Hereby, an application’s Front-End often comprises of the user interface while backend components consists of databases that feed the program with necessary data for the desired actions.
On the blockchain itself, APIs often interact with smart contracts deployed according to a specific rule set, or protocol. In this manner, APIs act as main enablers to perform various actions, such as transferring tokens. For example, when users want to transfer a token from one wallet to another, they would typically depend on the APIs written by their particular blockchain network. These APIs would then act as intermediaries between the two accounts, facilitating the seamless execution of the transaction.
Tools for Integration in Web3
In most Web3-based applications, APIs serve developers in various ways. For example, developers can integrate a third-party service into their user interface, such as displaying a price feed from their favourite cryptocurrency exchange, like Coinbase, on their own mobile dApp:
Coinbase's APIs allows them to send specific information requests to the server, such as the current price of a token for instance.
Later, the Coinbase server will process that request and send the response back to the d’App.
Again, the API allows for a seamless, automated process that does not require manual updating.
The concept of APIs has been around since the advent of the first computer systems during the 1980s. Originally, APIs were set up as specific commands that allowed different computer systems to communicate with each other.
However, it was not until the early 2000s when the leading CRM company Salesforce introduced a platform that allowed customers to access their interface and customise their applications on top of it.
Soon after, large tech corporations like Google, Amazon Web Services or Facebook would follow suit, expanding their API offerings to ensure that users were able to interact with their servers. As the internet became ubiquitous in the following years, APIs started powering virtually all inter-operation features of applications.
APIs remain a crucial component of Web2 applications and will continue to play an integral role in Web3 use cases.
How are APIs programmed?
Depending on the application you are trying to integrate, APIs can be challenging to program.
The process of programming an API involves defining the Endpoints, or the locations where data can be accessed or manipulated. Additionally, a programer must specify the methods that can be used to interact with those endpoints.
Currently, there is no standardised way to illustrate or define an API, as its definition and functionality vary depending on the specific purpose the API serves.
The most common way to visualise an API is in the form of an URL. The Endpoints of the URL signify the specific locations where users access particular functions or resources. Within an URL, these endpoints are typically identified via their specific program system that is being integrated. Additionally, the endpoints represent a specific function or resource that can be accessed using an HTTP method.
The below example visualises a JSON-RPC based API interacting within the Solana network:
In this example, the endpoint /v1/transactions/signature/
is used to authorise a transaction of SOL from one wallet to another.
The fromPubkey
and toPubkey
fields specify the wallet addresses for the sender and recipient, respectively, while amount
specifies the amount of SOL being transferred.
Other fields such as fee
and memo
are optional and the user can chose how to fill it in.
Common Programming Languages of APIs
The beauty of APIs is that it generally allows developers to call data from other servers, no matter what programming language they are using.
Thus, APIs offer a great deal of flexibility and allow developers to choose the language that best suits their needs and preferences. Whether the preferred language is Rust, Solidity, JavaScript, Python, or any other supported language, APIs fulfil their purpose via multiple ways.
To ensure seamless functioning of APIs and smart contracts on Solana, developers can refer to many various docs and online resources, such as the Solana Client Library.
A client library is a set of pre-written code that provides an interface between the smart contract and the API. In its essence, these libraries handle all the low-level details of communicating with the blockchain network, such as encoding and decoding data, packing transactions so users can sign and submit them to the network.
In Solana, the Client Library calls the RPC servers to return data and provides users with a range of necessary programming interfaces to interact with the Solana blockchain.
In Solana, the API Client Library is also found in JavaScript, which can be used to interface with Solana-typical Rust or Anchor implementations.
Users can refer to the links here: https://github.com/solana-labs/solana-web3.js
In the example below, the library is written in TypeScript, which provides a TypeSafe JavaScript tool for developers.
Bottom Line & SolanaFM APIs
It is evident that APIs play a vital role in the development and integration of various technologies in the Web3 ecosystem.
As more businesses and organisations embrace blockchain and decentralised services, the demand for APIs will remain rather constant. Therefore, it is essential to keep a close eye on API developments and innovations in the Web3 space.
By implementing effective API integration, Web3 protocols can fully harness the potential of their ecosystems and create meaningful innovations for both their applications and users.
As a leading Block Explorer, SolanaFM allows developers to seamlessly fetch data from the Solana infrastructure. Users looking to explore the Solana chain or integrate the data into their dApp development, SolanaFM provides readily accessible APIs via their Documentation page.
Docs: https://docs.solana.fm/
Website: https://solana.fm/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/solanafm