API Fundamentals
In this free online course students will learn how to design, develop and test their API
Description
This course is meant to take you from knowing nothing to becoming a working user of API's. We make no claims of teaching each and every thing. But enough to get the job done. So whether you are adding new features, or just fixing bugs, this will be useful to you. Start off by learning why you need to use an API. Some of the reasons include: Automated testing, third party apps and user authentication.
Then go on to make use of PostMan. Postman is an interactive and automatic tool that uncomplicates the creation, sharing, tests, and documents APIs for developers. It is a chrome/desktop app which interacts with HTTP APIs, works on the backend, and makes sure that each API works as intended . It also presents the client with a friendly GUI for sending requests and retrieving responses. Master advanced concepts related to use authentication. Learn about basic authentication where the individual has to send their username/password after every request in an API call. It is easy to implement but would bring out security concerns. Students will also learn how to make use of API keys. Students will learn how to implement OAuth 2.0 which is an application that can authenticate each request with an access token. This would be an efficient user experience however it can be tricky to implement.
Students will also be shown how to design their API using Swagger and Open API. Open API is a publicly available application interface that provides developers with programmatic access to a software application or web service. Students will also learn how to use variables, collections and environments as well.
Prequestits; Learners are required to have the basic understanding and ability to use python programming before starting this course.
Modules
Introduction to API
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API Intro - Learning Outcomes
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What is an API
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How an API operates
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Setting up PostMan
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Create a Simple PostMan Request
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Why use an API
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API Intro - Lesson Summary
API-Surrounding Concepts
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API Concepts - Learning Outcomes
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What is a Web Service
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Market Study for SOAP and REST
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API Concepts - Lesson Summary
API - Advanced Concepts
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Learning Outcomes - Advanced Concepts
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Basic Authentication
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OAuth 2.0
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OAuth 2.0 - Practical Application
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Pagination
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Variables, Collections and Environments Intro
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Designing using Swagger
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Advanced Concepts - Lesson Summary
Course assessment
Learning Outcomes
- Explain how to setup PostMan on your machine
- Explain how to send a Get and Post Request using Postman
- Describe why we should use an API
- Identify the differences between Rest and SOAP API
- Desribe how to use Basic Auntheitcation
- Desribe how to use OAuth 2.0
- Summarize how to design an API using Swagger
Certification
All Alison courses are free to enrol, study and complete. To successfully complete this Certificate course and become an Alison Graduate, you need to achieve 80% or higher in each course assessment. Once you have completed this Certificate course, you have the option to acquire an official Certificate, which is a great way to share your achievement with the world. Your Alison Certificate is:
Ideal for sharing with potential employers - include it in your CV, professional social media profiles and job applications
An indication of your commitment to continuously learn, upskill and achieve high results
An incentive for you to continue empowering yourself through lifelong learning
Alison offers 3 types of Certificates for completed Certificate courses:
Digital Certificate - a downloadable Certificate in PDF format, immediately available to you when you complete your purchase
Certificate - a physical version of your officially branded and security-marked Certificate, posted to you with FREE shipping
Framed Certificate - a physical version of your officially branded and security-marked Certificate in a stylish frame, posted to you with FREE shipping
All Certificates are available to purchase through the Alison Shop. For more information on purchasing Alison Certificates, please visit our FAQs. If you decide not to purchase your Alison Certificate, you can still demonstrate your achievement by sharing your Learner Record or Learner Achievement Verification, both of which are accessible from your Dashboard. For more details on our Certificate pricing, please visit our Pricing Page.