ASP.NET Web API vs ASP.NET Rest API

What is Web API?

Web API is considered the most uncomplicated and easy-to-develop and manage application programming interface. 
It’s used for building a resource-sharing connection between a server and a client device. 
For instance, if you are accessing a website from your laptop’s browser, an API is being used to transfer user requests, server acknowledgments, and files.

A Web API can be developed using some popular web development technologies, such as .NET, ASP.NET, and Java. 
Mainly, if any enterprise wants to use a Web API, collaborating with an ASP.NET development company like Nullplex Software Private Limited is highly preferred.

Benefits of Web API

1) Easy Utilization

Among all the APIs, Web API is the easiest to develop, configure and maintain. You don’t need any additional infrastructure or resources for it, 
as a .NET developer can effortlessly curate it. 
Also, they are open-source, which means that they can be customized and comply with the required standards.

2) Lightweight

The lightweight architecture of web API leverages companies to provide services to users with lower bandwidth devices. 
It doesn’t put additional load on the client device/browser and ensures the offer of all the services with utmost quality and accuracy.

3) No Additional Dependency Required

Web API is an integral component of the ASP.NET framework. Due to this, you don’t need to avail of any additional dependency for the API development and maintenance. 
Also, it helps to reduce complexity and centralize business logic for better productivity, performance, and stability.

4) Affordable Development

Creating Web API is quite affordable compared to REST API development, configuration, and maintenance. 
You can hire ASP Dot Net Core developers within your budget through outsourcing companies, and it will only cost you between US$18/hour to US$60/hour per expertise, project size, and team.

Examples of Web API

1) ChatGPT API

ChatGPT is an AI model based on NLP (Natural Language Processing). Its API is used to enhance the chatbot functionality. 
Organizations train about their product and implement it on their customer support interface. 
Further, whenever a customer asks a question or queries about a technical problem or product, the ChatGPT API takes the input, provides it to the backend system, and returns the output.

2) Google Maps API

Google Maps API can be commonly seen everywhere. Most organizations and applications use it to provide location-based services. 
When you use Snapchat, Ola and similar the map showcased on the application is due to Google Maps API.
This API connects the application and Google Maps to offer the functionality to share location and track someone’s location in real-time.

3) PayPal API

The option to pay on an eCommerce using the PayPal account is mainly an API, which connects the users to the PayPal platform. 
When a user clicks on the PayPal checkout or similar option, the API sends the request and redirects the user to the PayPal platform. 
Further, when the transaction is completed, API takes the status and updates it on the eCommerce website.

What is Rest API?

REST is not an API like Web API, but it’s an architecture used to develop Application Programming Interface. 
It helps you create a web service that establishes and maintains connections between systems, enabling them to communicate. 
The APIs built using the REST architecture are known as RESTful APIs and nowadays, they are most used in enterprise management applications.

Benefits of Rest API

1) Effortless Scalability

You can quickly scale up REST APIs by creating new endpoints. 
It benefits the developers to create complex logic quickly and streamline the request and response flow between the client and server devices.

2) Data Security

SSL-level encryption retains data integrity and confidentiality while using the REST API. 
It ensures that each bit is secured and illegitimate actors are prevented from accessing, reading, and modifying the data in the transmission channel.

3) Adaptability and Performance

REST API is faster than web services and API. It enables the synchronization of data from multiple websites and databases. 
In addition, it can be used to transfer data between servers and modify it using HTTP methods.

4) Utilize HTTP Methods

REST API enables HTTP methods – GET, PATCH, DELETE, PUT, POST, TRACE, HEADS, and OPTIONS. 
All these methods help the developers to create logic and build appropriate API functions impeccably. 
Also, while troubleshooting the methods help in easy root cause identification.

Examples of Rest API

1) Twitter REST API

The Twitter REST API leverages the developers to use their identification mechanism. 
You must have seen websites and applications with the functionality to log in using your Twitter account. 
It’s due to the API that integrates the website and Twitter. 
In addition, the API also enables the display of tweets per hashtags and location on other apps using the API.

2) Instagram REST API

The Instagram REST API enables you to access and utilize profile data on your application. 
It helps the organization showcase its website social media posts without redirecting users. 
In addition, Graph API benefits can also be availed with it to track the account metrics and precisely handle Instagram activities.

3) Amazon REST API

Amazon REST API is most popular among developers looking to integrate artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science capabilities in software. 
The API ensures a secure communication channel between the app and the Amazon cloud service, supporting and running the AI mechanisms. 
As a result, the developers save on cost, time, effort, and infrastructure to support AI.