Application Programming Interface (API) vs WebSockets
Developers should learn and use APIs to enable seamless integration between disparate systems, such as connecting a frontend application to a backend server or incorporating third-party services like payment gateways or social media platforms meets developers should learn and use websockets when building applications that require real-time features, such as live chat, online gaming, financial trading platforms, collaborative editing tools, or live sports updates, as it reduces latency and server load compared to polling techniques like http long-polling. Here's our take.
Application Programming Interface (API)
Developers should learn and use APIs to enable seamless integration between disparate systems, such as connecting a frontend application to a backend server or incorporating third-party services like payment gateways or social media platforms
Application Programming Interface (API)
Nice PickDevelopers should learn and use APIs to enable seamless integration between disparate systems, such as connecting a frontend application to a backend server or incorporating third-party services like payment gateways or social media platforms
Pros
- +They are essential for building scalable and modular applications, as APIs abstract complexity, promote reusability, and facilitate collaboration in distributed environments like cloud computing and IoT
- +Related to: rest-api, graphql
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
WebSockets
Developers should learn and use WebSockets when building applications that require real-time features, such as live chat, online gaming, financial trading platforms, collaborative editing tools, or live sports updates, as it reduces latency and server load compared to polling techniques like HTTP long-polling
Pros
- +It is particularly valuable in scenarios where instant data synchronization between clients and servers is critical, such as in IoT device monitoring or interactive dashboards, because it maintains an open connection for continuous data flow
- +Related to: http, real-time-communication
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
The Verdict
These tools serve different purposes. Application Programming Interface (API) is a concept while WebSockets is a protocol. We picked Application Programming Interface (API) based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.
Based on overall popularity. Application Programming Interface (API) is more widely used, but WebSockets excels in its own space.
Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev