What are streaming APIs and examples? Let’s take a look and find out

Let’s take a look at what streaming APIs and examples are. Ready? Let’s go…

Streaming APIs are used to examine data in real-time for users to gather up-to-date information and accurate results through the web. This process begins with a consumer/client opening a socket who then gives certain criteria of data it needs to receive.

The streaming API conveys new data as it’s obtained over the open socket, delivering concise results in real-time.

Do you have an idea why streaming APIs are important?

Having your pulse on a quick-to-time delivery of data is where the value of streaming APIs lies. Today, many organizations are using this quick technology for real-time results.

Data is delivered promptly and there is no shortage of roles with streaming APIs.

Many streaming APIs are set in groupings such as Social to chat, as well as data that bring fantastic consumer benefits. Furthermore, streaming APIs increases the level of APIs, thanks in part to their ability to operate as a radar for better oversight in the delivery.

So, how do streaming APIs work? It starts with a consumer opening an outlet. This delivers specifics of the data that it wants to receive. From there, the server sends new data as it’s collected over the open outlet.

Streaming API examples — check these out

Relevant streaming API examples involve different areas. Let’s start with platforms that enhance Social, such as Twitter. This example works through Twitter streaming APIs. When “tweets” take place, there is a push of data as tweets happen instantaneously. With streaming APIs utilized by Twitter, the consumer registers a set of conditions such as usernames, keywords, locations.

This prompt delivers quick delivery and simultaneous results. Furthermore, Social is an impressive platform and Instagram is using real-time swift picture updates for quick turnaround results.

Another concrete streaming API example is Salesforce. By allowing the streaming of events and decreasing client sampling on APIs, streaming can respond in real-time. Message dependability is where Salesforce can broadcast past events. Read more about different types of streaming APIs.

By encircling anything that occurs through Salesforce into a stream, this becomes something that the consumer can subscribe to via any topic described by a PushTopic. Using Salesforce Streaming APIs are in conjunction with why one uses Streamdata.io. Read more about Salesforce streaming API.

Facebook is another example of streaming APIs. With Facebook, you can subscribe to real-time data changes in your social graph. Digg also allows you to stream comments and submissions for fast results. Read more about an assortment of streaming APIs available in different business sectors.

Building and creating streaming APIs — this is not complicated

Learning how to stream isn’t that complicated. The value that streaming APIs generate for the user, as well as the apps that they are utilizing, brings new abilities to the user.

For example, to create a stream for a real-time UX in less than one minute, you will use an API from X ignite. This provides financial market data information through the stream, such as giving an exchange rate of two currencies. When you make a “curl” request to see more information, the rate of exchange gives the answer. From there you have a dynamic UI for a better user experience.

Note, you would need to pull this API every second as this will overload X and ignite servers on your client-side code. The device battery and networks convert this API into a streaming API by simply adding to the URL.

This becomes the first data set and you get a patch with the new exchange. Voila! The API is now streamed. By reaching your streaming API potential, you gain more valuable real-time insights for the user. Here’s some more exciting reading: Learn more about how to build streaming APIs.

REST API vs. streaming API: Do you know the difference?

The difference between REST APIs and streaming APIs is:

1. Streaming APIs updates are sent to the consumer when an event happens.
2. REST APIs operate in a client-server architecture. This comes down to a flow of “request and response.” A basic ongoing talk between servers: a user makes a request, and the server comes back with the information you are seeking. They work independently from each other.

Why are streaming APIs the complete opposite of REST APIs? Read on to find out:

1. Because with streaming APIs, when you make a request, the answer is given — full stop.
2. REST APIs are stateless (the API alone has no client context on the server beyond the initial request) while streaming APIs are stateful.

Without storing state in some form, the Streaming API cannot properly scrutinize and analyze the basic data correlation with the consumer who is doing the requesting.

REST APIs are in the cache and can store the data that was requested to then serve it up later. And lastly, REST APIs provide load balancing and scalability. High-end flexibility makes it so stateless.

REST API vs streaming API in plain English? If REST APIs are a dialogue, then streaming APIs are more like a film at the cinema. Note that streaming APIs have less tractability vs. REST.