New Training: Understand the Challenges of Consuming APIs

In this 6-video skill, CBT Nuggets trainer Ben Finkel teaches you about the challenges of timeout errors and synchronous and asynchronous API communication. Learn how to build back-off patterns and retry scripts to address those opportunities. Watch this new Cisco training.
Learn Cisco with one of these courses:
This training includes:
6 videos
27 minutes of training
You’ll learn these topics in this skill:
Understand the Challenges of Consuming APIs
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous APIs
Creating an Asynchronous API Call in Python
Handling HTTP Error Codes
Implementing a Backoff Script
API Challenges Summary
APIs Are Simpler Than You Think
An application programming interface (API) is a set of functions that set out and define how a piece of hardware or software can be interacted with. You could imagine an API like a description of a spigot for a garden hose: it would tell you how much pressure the water will come out under, the water’s temperature and how wide your hose’s plug should be. With all that information, you know where the water comes from and can bring whatever hose you want.
When you’re dealing with APIs, there’s a figure of speech that’s meant to clarify who is “using” an API. That expression is “consume”. “Consume” is used when talking about an API so that it’s clear which side of the relationship you’re on. If you’re “using” an API, it’s not entirely clear whether you’re providing the information to the API from the source end, or taking the information for your own uses. “Consuming” an API means using the API or its information in your own application.
delivered to your inbox.
By submitting this form you agree to receive marketing emails from CBT Nuggets and that you have read, understood and are able to consent to our privacy policy.