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The Importance of API Integration and the Role of DhiWise in Overcoming API Integration Challenges

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DhiWise

February 28, 2023
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DhiWise

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February 28, 2023
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An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of tools and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. It helps developers create more powerful and interactive apps with the necessary tools and functions. 

Through APIs, third-party developers can access certain information or functionality within the application. This allows app developers to create specific services that interact with the original application in different ways such as adding new features and displaying data in various ways. 

Besides that, there are other things that make API integration a critical part of application development. So let's understand in detail the API integration, its importance, the challenges of integrating APIs, and how you can simplify API integration and customization in the web and mobile applications with DhiWise

API Integration and its importance in app development

What is API integration?

API refers to the process of connecting two or more software systems or applications through APIs. This allows the different systems to share data and functionality, enabling them to work together seamlessly. 

For example, an e-commerce website might use API integration to connect to a payment gateway, which would allow customers to purchase items on the website using a variety of payment methods.

The importance of  API Integration in app development

API integration is a critical part of app development because it allows apps to interact with other systems and services. This enables apps to access a wide range of functionality and data, which can greatly enhance their capabilities and makes the app highly interactive.

Here are a few key points that signify the importance of API integration in app development. 

1. Helps to build feature-rich apps with fewer efforts

APIs also allow apps to easily connect with other systems, such as databases, cloud services, and external platforms like social media. This enables app developers to build more powerful and feature-rich apps with less effort.

2. Simplify maintain and improves app scalability

In addition, API integration allows for easier maintenance and scalability of apps. Instead of having to rebuild an entire app to add new functionality or fix bugs, developers can simply update the API and the changes will be reflected in the app.

3. Plays a crucial role in mobile app development

APIs also play a crucial role in mobile app development as well, by allowing apps to interact with the underlying operating system and access device features such as camera, GPS, and contacts.

4. Improves efficiency and flexibility of app services

APIs help to generate efficient, and reliable results securely and also provide fast and flexible delivery of app services as per the developer's requirements.

5. Gives better results with automation

APIs make use of automation and produce results quickly with automation. Thus it reduces the need for manual input and improves efficiency.

The major challenges by developers in writing the code for API Integration

1. Security: 

Ensuring that the API and the data it transfers are secure from unauthorized access or hacking attempts is a major concern.

2. Data compatibility: 

Ensuring that the data being exchanged between systems is in a compatible format and can be easily understood by the receiving system.

3. Scalability: 

As the number of API calls increases, it can become a challenge to maintain performance and ensure that the API can handle the increased traffic.

4. Maintenance: 

Keeping the API up to date and addressing any bugs or issues that arise can be a significant challenge.

5. Documenting: 

Properly documenting the API so that it can be easily understood and used by developers can be a challenge, especially if the API is complex or changes frequently.

6. Limited flexibility: 

Traditional API integration is limited to specific programming languages and technologies, which can be a challenge when trying to integrate systems that use different technologies.

7. Limited Monitoring and logging: 

Traditional API integration often lacks built-in monitoring and logging capabilities, which can make it difficult to troubleshoot and debug issues.

API integration process- How does API integration work in DhiWise?

API is essential for creating interactive applications. DhiWise makes it simple to integrate various APIs into your web or mobile application, enabling different features to function properly. With DhiWise, integrating APIs into your application is streamlined and easy.

If you have your app  UI ready and want to integrate API into the app, just sign up with DhiWise. Then quickly import your UI design to DhiWise from Figma and follow the process given below to start integration. 

So, let's get deeper into how API integration works in DhiWise. 

1. Adding APIs

The platform allows developers to add API either by importing the Postman collection or by enabling developers to create the new API manually using the visual interface.

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2. Creating new API manually 

To add APIs manually click the Add new API button. It will redirect you to the API runner page.

add-new-api

Here you can select the method (PUT, GET, DELETE, and POST) along with the URL. Moreover, you can add a Header, Parameter, and Body. 

3. Adding Environmental Variables

In the DhiWise API integration the environment variable Global comes as default. However, you can create your new variable and its value.

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Moreover, the variables can be used in the URL with the curly braces {{variable_name}}.

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4. Setting up APIs

You can integrate APIs in the lifecycle method or on any page or view components. To set up the API first select the page from the page list and click the Configure option for the particular page where you want to set up the API.

To integrate API on the component, right-click on the component and select Create action and then select API Integration from the left side of the panel. 

setting-api

5. Handling Request and Response

Select the API you want to integrate from the list of APIs in the application. Then select the required header, parameter, and body by switching to the Handle request area. The Header and the Parameter value will be fetched from the API you have added but they can be edited if you want to change them. 

The type of API requests supported here are GET, POST, PUT and DELETE. Under the Body property, you can bind your request key with the type supported such as view, manual input, Constant, API Response, etc. 

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Next, handle the response from the option and bind it to the view on the page component.

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6. Choose the Action to perform on the success or failure method

On the Success and Failure method, you can handle the action area. The platform considers response code 200 for the success of an API call and the remaining code (i.e 400-499 for the client and 500-599 for the server) will be in the error state. 

You should select the action you want to execute on the methods from the action list and set it accordingly with the desired input. The following actions are supported for the methods:

  • API Integration 
  • Navigation
  • Show Alert Dialog
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So, till now you have gone through all the processes in the DhiWise API integration. You might have got the answer to the question, how does it overcome the traditional API integration challenges?

The API integration in DhiWise allows developers to follow the modern approach to API integration in the fastest way with full customization flexibility. 

Conclusion: 

Now you know how API integration makes your application more user interactive and how to perform API integration with Dhiwise. 

Also, read this article to know about API integration in the Flutter application with DhiWise and for API integration in React app refer to the DhiWise documentation here

The platform reduces the manual work of writing API code and provides a quick way to upload, create and edit API, set up the integration on the actions, and more for web and mobile applications. 

Simply Sign up with DhiWise to make your API integration process smoother and faster. Start building your app with DhiWise today!