Skip to main content

Pagination

Pagination in APIs:

Pagination is needed when API responses contain a large number of items, such as records or results. It allows clients to retrieve data in smaller, manageable chunks.

How It Works:

  • The API typically supports parameters like page and per_page or limit to control pagination.
  • Clients specify the page number and the number of items per page in their requests.
  • The API responds with a subset of the total data, and clients can navigate through pages to access all data.

Example: In a blog API, a client can request articles using page=2 and per_page=10 to get the second page of 10 articles.

Filtering in APIs: Filtering is essential when clients want to narrow down the data they receive from an API based on specific criteria.

How It Works:

  • APIs provide filter parameters, such as filter or query, that accept criteria like keywords, dates, or values.
  • Clients include filter parameters in their requests.
  • The API processes the filters and returns only the data that matches the specified criteria.

Example: In an e-commerce API, a client can use a filter parameter to retrieve products with specific attributes like category=electronics or price<100.

Rate Limiting in APIs: Rate limiting is necessary to prevent abuse, protect server resources, and ensure fair usage of the API by all clients.

How It Works:

  • The API sets limits on the number of requests a client can make within a specific time window (e.g., requests per minute or per hour).
  • Clients must include an API key or token in their requests.
  • The API tracks the client's usage and enforces rate limits.
  • When a client exceeds its rate limit, the API responds with a "429 Too Many Requests" status code.

Rate Limiting Algorithms:

  • Fixed Window: Limits are enforced based on a fixed time window, and unused requests from one window do not carry over to the next.
  • Sliding Window: Limits are based on a moving time window, allowing a more continuous rate of requests.
  • Token Bucket: Clients receive tokens at a fixed rate, and they spend tokens for each request. When tokens run out, clients must wait.