APIs

Author

Jack
April 19, 2025

So what the fuck is an API? Aside from being an acronym for Application Programming Interface, it’s the thing that lets you integrate one app/service with another when built-in integrations are unavailable.

APIs are doorways between applications.

  • API requests are sent in the form of a simple HTTP message

  • HTTP methods include:

    • POST

    • GET

    • PUT

    • PATCH

    • DELETE

These methods correspond to CRUUD operations:

  • POST method creates something

  • GET requests read info

  • PUT updates info

  • PATCH also updates info (PUT replaces info, PATCH will modify info)

  • DELETE deletes info

Once an API request has been sent, the application will send back a response. The responses wil be sent back often in JSON format.

In MAKE, APIs are used when:

  • The app you want to automate isn’t already built into MAKE

  • You want more control or access than the default modules give

  • You're working with HTTP modules (like "Make a request")

How API calls work (in MAKE):

  1. URL: where to send the request (called the “endpoint”)

  2. Method: what kind of action you want:

    • GET – get data

    • POST – send new data

    • PUT/PATCH – update existing data

    • DELETE – remove something

  3. Headers: extra info like API keys (like showing your ID to enter)

  4. Body: optional: data you're sending, usually in JSON

Response = JSON
APIs usually reply with JSON. MAKE can parse it and let you use the data in other modules.

Core API Concepts to Understand:

  • Endpoint = URL of the specific resource (like /users/123)

  • Authentication = proving who you are (API key, token)

  • JSON = format of the data you're sending/receiving

  • Headers = required settings (like Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY)

  • Status Code = API’s response (200 = success, 400+ = error)

How to use an API
When connecting to an API the 1st thing is to look for Authentication > then look for a way to copy/paste an example > then build minimum viable API call. For eg:

  1. HTTP - Make Request

  2. Google the. API you’re seeking

  3. Search for the authentication header

  4. Put together minimum viable API call

An endpoint is a specific URL that you send a request to when you want to talk to an API and do something specific, Eg:

  • getting a list of users

  • sending a message

  • updating a record

Think of APIs like a restaurant menu:

  • You (MAKE) choose something from the menu (send a request)

  • The kitchen (API) prepares it and brings it back (response)