Introduction
The concept of decoupled Drupal has gained significant attention lately. Many discussions surrounding Drupal today often involve topics related to decoupling. APIs play a crucial role in enabling developers to synchronize data between applications, making integration possible. However, APIs are not always the best solution for every integration and data synchronization problem. In many cases, using a webhook may be a more efficient and quicker approach. This article will discuss the key differences between APIs and webhooks and how to make the most of both.
The Difference between Webhooks and APIs (ELI5)
Imagine your friend is going to receive an important package for you.
API approach: You have your friend's phone number, but they don't have yours. To find out if the package has arrived, you must call them. You might end up calling them multiple times until they confirm they have the package.
Webhook approach: Your friend has your phone number. Once they receive the package, they immediately call you to let you know.
APIs involve making calls to an application to request data or send instructions to perform a task. However, the application cannot proactively inform you if a task needs to be performed or if new data is available.
Webhooks operate automatically based on predefined events. When an event occurs, a call is triggered, sending the necessary data from the application to your server.
When to Use an API
Use an API when you expect your data to be constantly changing and updating. APIs offer greater control compared to webhooks, allowing you to specify how much data you want and when. Adjusting the data size at your discretion is one of the key features of APIs. Additionally, if you only want to receive data when you request it, an API-based solution is the right choice.
However, APIs are less effective for real-time data since you must query the data repeatedly. Also, if the data does not change frequently, you may not receive new data with each API call.
When to Use a Webhook
Webhooks are ideal for real-time data needs. When an event occurs, such as a new message, data, or error, a webhook sends an HTTP POST notification to your server to handle the data. Webhooks are also beneficial when your data does not update consistently. By using webhooks, you can avoid unnecessary API calls when there might not be new data available.
However, webhooks have limitations. If the system sending updates to your webhook goes offline, you won't be immediately aware. You also have less control over the data, as you receive what is sent.
Conclusion
| APIs | Webhooks |
|---|---|
| The application sends a request to receive data. | Data is sent to the application automatically based on a predefined trigger. |
| The application doesn't know if there is new data until a request is sent. Multiple requests might be necessary to get data. | As soon as new data is available, it is automatically sent to the application. |
| You quickly know if there's a problem with the application or server hosting the data, as there might be no response or a corrupted response. | You cannot tell if the application or server hosting the data has gone offline. |
| More control over data size. | Less control over data size. |
APIs and webhooks don't have to be exclusive options. Both are essential for effective communication in an application. An efficient application should combine APIs and webhooks to benefit from real-time data and maintain control. Therefore, when considering decoupled Drupal, remember to suggest using webhooks along with APIs for the best decoupling experience!