A no-code guide to APIs:

Unlocking the powers of

integration
Have you ever felt suffocated by the number of
tools you have to access and use every day?
APIs might be the answer you’re looking for.
Have you ever felt suffocated by the number of tools you have to
access and use every day? Or want to generally do more with less?
APIs might be the answer you're looking for. APIs - or application
programming interfaces - allow you to access data and features of
software/tech tools without actually writing code (despite the
awfully long, rather technical sounding name).

APIs allow different software applications to communicate

information and functionality with one another. Whether you're a
developer, small business owner, freelancer, product manager or
anything in between, understanding APIs and how to leverage them
can transform your business. This comprehensive guide will help
you understand what APIs are, how they work, and how you can use
them to streamline and scale your productivity and success.

What is an API?

An API is essentially a set of rules, protocols, and tools that define

how different software components can communicate. It provides a
defined structure for requesting and retrieving data or accessing

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 specific functionalities. APIs are designed to be easily understood
by both humans and machines, promoting seamless integration
between applications.

Have you ever used a weather app to check the current

temperature or purchased some clothing online? These are
examples of APIs at work. APIs allow weather apps to fetch real-
time weather data from meteorological services and provide you
with up-to-date information by interfacing with your regional data.

They also allow an eCommerce business to collect your shipping

information and payment at checkout, powered by another API like
the one provided by Stripe, that basically ~does it's thing that you
don't need to worry much about~ sends the business the money
and your checkout details, confirms the order to you via email and
completes your checkout journey.

Why APIs Matter: Efficiency and Integration

APIs have become an integral part of our everyday lives, enabling

us to access a wide range of services and functionalities
effortlessly. Their importance lies in their ability to streamline
processes, enhance productivity, and drive revenue. Let's explore
why APIs matter in different contexts:

1. APIs in Software Development: For software developers,

APIs offer a shortcut to building new applications. Instead of
reinventing the wheel and writing code from scratch,
developers can leverage pre-built features and functions
through APIs. This saves time and resources, allowing
developers to focus on creating a unique software experience
and delivering value to end-users.
2. APIs in Business Integration: APIs play a crucial role in

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 integrating different software systems within a business. They
enable seamless data exchange between applications,
ensuring that information flows smoothly across business
units. Sometimes APIs are set up manually by the business,
sometimes through what we know as 'integrations'.

Rest vs HTTP APIs

You may have seen 'REST API' in a products list of features before.
EST APIs support a wide range of features such as API keys, per-
client throttling, request validation, AWS WAF integration, and
private API endpoints. They are generally more flexibile and
scalable when compared to HTTP APIs. These are the popular
choice among most developers. HTTP APIs have minimal features
in comparison, however are designed as such to offer a cheaper
price against REST APIs.

Using APIs: Need to know

To effectively use APIs, it's important to understand the core

concepts that govern their use. Let's look at the key elements of
API usage, including API keys, endpoints, request methods, API
calls, and status codes.

API Keys: Unlocking unique access

API keys serve as unique access codes or authentication tokens.

They are required to access most APIs and help track and control
API usage. Similar to a password, an API key ensures that only
authorized users or applications can access the data or
functionality provided by the API. When working with APIs, you'll
need to obtain an API key from the provider. This key is typically
included in your API requests to authenticate and authorize your

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 access to the desired resources.

Endpoints: Connecting your applications

API endpoints are specific URLs or web addresses where an API

receives requests and sends responses. Endpoints act as digital
locations for interacting with an API's resources. They represent
specific pieces of information or actions that you can request from
the API. To access the desired information or functionality, you
make a request to the API endpoint. The endpoint acts as a
gateway, allowing you to retrieve data or perform actions related to
the API's capabilities.

Request Methods: Be straight up with your API

Request methods (or HTTP methods) are used to communicate

your intentions to the API. There are four primary request methods:

1. GET: Used to retrieve specific data from the API.

2. POST: Indicates that you want to add or post new data to the
server.
3. PUT: Used to update existing resources on the API.
4. DELETE: Indicates that you want to delete existing data from
the server.

By choosing the appropriate request method, you convey clearly to

the API precisely what you're wanting it to do and how you want it
to perform the interaction. Sort of like prepping an employee (that
speaks exclusively in ~internet~) for a big client meeting.

API Calls: The Exchange

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 API calls encompass the journey of making a request to an API and
receiving a response. When you make an API call, you initiate the
exchange of data between your application (the client) and the API
(the server). The API call involves sending a request to the API's
endpoint with the desired parameters and data. The API processes
the request and generates a response, which is then sent back to
your application. This response typically contains the requested
data or information related to the action performed. So, your
employee was successful in getting what you wanted from the big
client meeting (the client being the app/software your API is
working with).

Status Codes: Understanding Responses

With every API call, you receive a status code in the response.
Status codes are three-digit numbers that indicate the outcome of
your request. The first digit of the status code represents the
category of the response. These are grouped into 'series', per
below:

100 series (informational): These codes indicate that the

request initiated by the browser is continuing. They are
informational and don't have a significant impact on the
outcome of the request.
200 series (success): These codes indicate that the browser
request was received, understood, and processed successfully
by the server. A 200-level response is the best kind of status
code to receive as it means everything is working fine.
300 series (redirection): These codes indicate that the
requested resource has been moved or redirected to a
different location. The client may need to take additional action
to complete the request.

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 400 series (client error): These codes indicate that there was
an error in the client's request. It could be due to invalid input,
authentication issues, or insufficient permissions. These errors
are typically the client's responsibility to fix.
500 series (server error): These codes indicate that there
was an error on the server side while processing the request. It
could be due to server overload, internal server errors, or
misconfiguration. These errors are typically the server's
responsibility to fix.

APIs and the No Code Revolution

If the above numbers made your brain go fuzzy, don't worry. APIs
are not solely limited to developer-minded people. In 2023, APIs
can serve as powerful tools that pretty much anyone to access the
functionality and data provided by other software systems.

No-code tools have emerged as a driving force in democratising

software development and digital transformation. These platforms
provide user-friendly 'frontend' looking backends that enable users
to essentially develop custom software without a single line of
code. APIs offer no-code creators endless possibility in data
manipulation and with the integration of functionality from other
software systems into their own development.

You might recognise a few tools that facilitate API integration like
Zapier or Airtable. These platforms offer connectors or pre-built
integrations with popular APIs, allowing users to easily connect and
start working with the data and functionalities provided by the APIs.

And so...

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 It's becoming clear in 2023 that APIs are well on their way to being
democratised and spreading their wings to fly beyond the world of
development (the @xc$<!xhdp> kind of development). Beyond just
tech tools, customisability is unleashing a mass of potential for
anyone with the determination to build software (to sell, for internal
use, for fun) and activate the potential and function of all of your
favourite tech in one place. First, web design was revolutionised by
no code. Now, it's software developments turn.

As the internet continues to explode with technology and the need

to connect your tech stack goes beyond the native integrations
offered by your existing tech, APIs are going to become your friend.
To get started, we've listed some API/Integration facilitators below,
as well as some of our current favorite tech tools that offer an open
API (their API is available to the public) with comprehensive
documentation (i.e. relatively non-technical, friendly instructions).

API facilitators:

1. Xano: the no code backend to power & scale any app.

2. Zapier: is automation that moves everyone forward.
3. Make: is a no-code, visual integration platform that lets you
connect any apps or APIs to automate workflows.
4. Tray.io: love your work, automate the rest.
5. Codat: is the universal API for small business data.

A few of our fave tools with flexible & Oopen APIs:

1. Clerk: is complete user management.

2. Notion: is a workspace that adapts to your needs.
3. Attio: is the data-driven CRM for modern teams.

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 4. Hyperswitch: is an open-source payments switch.
5. Retool: is to build internal tools, remarkably fast.
6. Stripe: is financial infrastructure for the internet.
7. Liveblocks: is collaborative experiences in days, not months.
8. Airtable: is powerful apps that connect your data, workflows
and teams.

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