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How do I find the endpoint for REST API?


Quick answer: To find the endpoint for a REST API, you need to look at the API documentation provided by the service you want to use. The endpoint URL will be listed there, along with details on the available endpoints, HTTP methods supported, parameters, headers, etc. Developers define the endpoints when creating the API, so you need to refer to the documentation to see how to interact with it.

REST (Representational State Transfer) APIs provide a way for different systems to exchange data over HTTP requests. The endpoint is the URL you make the requests to in order to get or send data. Knowing what the endpoint URLs are is essential for any application that needs to integrate with a REST API. This article will go over how to find them and understand API documentation.

Examine the API Documentation

The documentation for a REST API will provide the details you need to work with it. This should include:

  • Base URL – The root URL that all endpoints start with.
  • Endpoints – The specific URLs to make requests to.
  • HTTP methods – GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.
  • Parameters – Query string or body parameters for requests.
  • Sample requests/responses – Examples you can test out.
  • Authentication – Details on how to authenticate if required.

The endpoints will be listed with descriptions of how to use each one. They will consist of the base URL combined with additional path segments.

For example, a basic API may have endpoints like:

  • GET https://api.example.com/v1/users – Get a list of users
  • GET https://api.example.com/v1/users/{id} – Get details for a specific user
  • POST https://api.example.com/v1/users – Create a new user

So to find the endpoints, look for a section in the documentation labeled something like “Endpoints” or “API Reference”. This will outline the available URL patterns.

Look for Sample Code/Examples

API documentation usually provides sample code and curl/HTTP requests in addition to listing endpoints. These examples show you exactly how to call the API in different languages and tools.

For instance, there may be a “Getting Started” guide with snippets like:

“`
# Python example
import requests

url = ‘https://api.example.com/v1/users’
response = requests.get(url)

print(response.json())
“`

“`
# cURL example
curl https://api.example.com/v1/users \
-H ‘Authorization: Bearer
“`

This demonstrates the endpoint in action. You can often copy and run the samples to start testing. Try looking for a “Getting Started” or “Quickstart” section.

Use an API Client

Many REST APIs provide an interactive API client in the documentation. This lets you directly experiment with endpoints and requests.

For example, the client may show a list of endpoints on the left:

![API Client](https://assets.website-files.com/601a9a19bfae4c9285620b50/617c2733e327fa06b998ed86_api-client.png)

Clicking on an endpoint populates the request on the right. You can edit parameters, headers, body data, etc then click send to execute the call.

The client shows you which endpoints exist and handles all the API request plumbing under the hood. Look for a “Try it out!” or “API Explorer” section.

Register for an API Key

If the API requires authentication, you’ll need to register for an API key before accessing endpoints. There should be instructions for signing up and getting credentials.

For example, the documentation may have a “Get Started” page with steps like:

  1. Go to https://example.com/auth/register and create an account.
  2. Get an API key at https://example.com/account/credentials.
  3. Confirm your email address.

Once you have the key, you can pass it as a request header or query parameter to authenticate. This grants you access to call the endpoints.

Make Sure You Have Access

Some APIs have different tiers like free, pro, or enterprise. The endpoints you can access depend on your account tier.

For instance, a “GET /reports” endpoint may only be available on paid plans. The docs should note which endpoints require higher privileges.

Check that your API plan includes the features you need. You may need to upgrade your account if certain endpoints are locked.

Browse the OpenAPI/Swagger Spec

Many REST APIs provide an OpenAPI (formerly Swagger) specification file along with the documentation. This is a JSON/YAML file that formally describes the API structure.

Tools like Swagger UI allow browsing the spec visually. It will list all endpoints, parameters, headers, etc in an interactive interface.

Look for a link to the OpenAPI spec or Swagger UI in the docs. This provides a complementary way to explore the API endpoint details.

Examine Code Samples

For platform APIs like Facebook, Twitter, Stripe, etc, the best reference is their SDK code. The SDKs encapsulate the endpoint requests and authentication.

For example, in the Facebook SDK for JavaScript:

“`
// Making API call
FB.api(‘/me’, function(response) {
console.log(response);
});

// Initializes SDK with app credentials
FB.init({
appId: ‘123456789’,
autoLogAppEvents: true,
xfbml: true,
version: ‘v2.9’
});
“`

Browse the source code of the SDK for your language. See how it constructs API requests to endpoints and handles auth. The endpoints will be apparent from the code.

Conclusion

Finding the endpoints for a REST API requires checking the documentation provided by the API service. The docs act as the source of truth for available endpoints and how to use them properly in your application. Common places to look are:

  • The API reference section
  • Sample code snippets
  • Interactive API explorers
  • Getting started guides
  • OpenAPI/Swagger spec
  • SDK source code (for major platforms)

You need to find not just the endpoint URLs but also the HTTP methods they support, parameters, headers, and example requests. This provides the details to integrate the API into your code.

Be sure to also check that you have proper API credentials if authentication is required. With the right account access, you can start developing applications leveraging the REST API endpoints. Proper usage of the documentation is key to working effectively with any REST API.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about finding REST API endpoints:

Where can I find API documentation?

The API documentation may be:

  • Linked from the service’s main website
  • Located at a URL like https://api.example.com
  • Available after registering and logging into an API portal
  • Only accessible after logging into your account if docs are not public

There’s no universal standard, but well-designed APIs will make docs easy to find.

What if the API docs are unclear or I have questions?

Reach out to the API provider’s support contact listed in the documentation. They should be able to answer questions or point you to the right resources. Good documentation is essential to developers effectively leveraging an API.

How do I know which endpoint methods require authentication?

The docs should note which endpoints can be accessed anonymously vs. which require API keys or OAuth login. This may vary based on HTTP method as well (GET vs. POST).

What status codes should I expect from the API?

The docs should provide information on response codes like:

  • 200 OK – Success
  • 400 Bad Request – Invalid parameters
  • 401 Unauthorized – Invalid/missing API key
  • 403 Forbidden – Don’t have access to endpoint
  • 404 Not Found – Invalid endpoint called

Knowing the potential response codes will help debugging.

What do I do if the API returns errors?

The error response body and status code help determine the issue. It may be an invalid endpoint, missing parameter, failed auth, or exceeding a rate limit. Check the docs for an error code reference and guidance for troubleshooting.

How do I know which API version to use?

If multiple versions exist, the docs should recommend which version is current. Typically newer is better, but confirm before migrating versions in production apps.

Can someone explain REST API endpoints to me simply?

REST API endpoints are URL paths that allow accessing data or triggering functionality. For example:

  • https://api.service.com/v1/users returns a list of users
  • https://api.service.com/v1/orders allows creating new orders
  • https://api.service.com/v1/reports/sales.pdf gets a sales report PDF

Endpoints tell your app where to send requests to get or modify data. The docs list which endpoints exist and how to use them.