A Simple Guide to Rest API Integration in Flutter Application

No matter how beautiful your app's UI is, it will not matter unless it is fully functional to access real-time data. To go beyond just Lorem ipsum you need to add the right content to support it along with the interaction that enables users to fetch and add data to the application. 

There are multiple ways to make data accessible on the front-end but the most common and secure way is accessing data through API integration. Integrating APIs to your application enables smooth communication between the frontend UI and server. 

In this article, we will learn how to integrate API into the Flutter application using DhiWise, but before that, understand what REST API is and how it works.

So let's get started!

‍
What is REST API?

An API is the set of definitions and protocols for building and integrating the application software. You can put it Simply as a contract between an information provider and the user. 

For example, the API design for movie ticket booking could specify that users need to supply the Theater name, movie name, show time, and the number of seats. And the replay body should have the available seats for the requested show. 

In general, API acts as a mediator between the end user and backend resources and services. In fact, it is the most secure and fastest way to make applications communicate while having full control over app services and data. 

REST (Representational State Transfer) API or the web API conforms to the constraints of REST architectural style and allows app interactions with the RESTful web services. 

‍

How does REST API work?

REST API uses simple HTTP calls to communicate with JSON data. A user application can make GET, POST, PUT or DELETE HTTP requests to a database and send results for the query request in the response database. The result can be in JSON, HTML, or XML, which is then parsed into the proper model class to use in the app. 
‍

‍
REST API integration in the Flutter app

In general, you will go through the following steps for integrating an API into the Flutter application. 

1. Get the base URL, the endpoints, and the API key.
2. Add required packages in-app to consume HTTP resources like http, dio, chopper, etc.
3. Create a constant file that will hold all your URLs and Endpoints. 
4. Parse JSON file to get the Object out of the JSON response. 
5. Create files to handle API calls with specific methods to fetch and parse data.
6. Make a method call to load data onto your UI.

Moreover, while integrating APIs you need to consider the web standards and conventions.

‍

How does DhiWise simplify REST API integration in the Flutter app?

DhiWise is a modern LowCode and ProCode programming platform for developers that supports multiple technologies for app development including Flutter. It offers a variety of features to make the process of app development efficient, and effortless. And one of them is API integration. 

DhiWise simplifies REST API integration in Flutter in the following ways,

1. It allows developers to add API manually or directly upload the Postman collection to integrate API. 
2. Developers can customize APIs or Delete or Edit new APIs. 
3. Developers can add Environment variables along with the value.

‍

Setting up APIs with DhiWise Flutter Builder

DhiWise allows developers to integrate API on the screen, widget, or view components. 

‍

1. API integration on screen

To integrate an API on screen, you can choose any screen from the app screen list or select the Configure option for a particular screen, where you want to set up an API.

‍

‍

2. API integration on the widget

To integrate API on the widget, add the onClick property for setting up action and then choose the API integration from the action list. 

Once you choose the API integration action, it will ask you to submit the correct function name for the API integration which will be generated for the screen code. 

‍

3. API integration on view component

To add an API on the view component bind the selected view widget or lifecycle method from the list of APIs added.

Moreover, with DhiWise you can also handle the request and response to the server. 

‍

Handling API Request and Response

You can set the APIs Header, Parameters, and the Body from the Handle request area. Also, you can change the existing values if necessary.

Next, you need to bind the request key with any of the below-supported types to send data to the API request.

• View
• Constant
• API response
• Get from the preference
• Navigation argument

Finally, to display the response values coming from the APIs with the views of your screen, select the key from the response, and select the View you want to bind from the right side.  

If you want to display the data in the List/Grid or Slider from the API response, bind the response array with the List/Grid or Slider view. And while handling the response data, save them to preferences by selecting the response key and giving it the desired name. 

‍

Handling Actions

After the API call is placed you need to choose the action based on the success or failure of the method. You can select actions such as API integration, Navigation, and Show Alert Dialog, Toast, or Snackbar.

And once everything is done, click to save changes. 

So, this is all about API integration in the Flutter app with DhiWise. 
‍

Summing Up:

In the article, you have learned about the REST API, the way it works, and how DhiWise speeds up REST API integration in the Flutter application through the visual interface.  

Know more about DhiWise and its features, and start using it to make your Flutter app development effortless and fun. 

Sign up today!