RESTful Serverless APIs with Node.js

What is Node.js?

A JavaScript engine that runs JavaScript WITHOUT a browser using a runtime environment.

What is a Node.js package?

A collection of prebuilt JavaScript functions stored in a reusable module.

What is an API?

An Application Programming Interface that allows a client and server to communicate.

What does the client application do in an API system?

Sends requests to the server and receives responses.

What does the server application do in an API system?

Processes requests and sends back responses.

What is REST in RESTful APIs?

Representational State Transfer

Which HTTP methods do RESTful APIs commonly use?

GET

What does an HTTP GET request generally do?

Retrieves data from the server.

What do you need before creating a serverless API?

An AWS Lambda function and an API Gateway configuration.

Why do we enable VPC for the Lambda function?

To allow the Lambda function to run inside a private network environment.

What is a RESTful API?

An API that follows REST constraints.

Why do most RESTful APIs use HTTP?

Because HTTP makes them easy to use over the web.

What is the Client-server architecture rule in REST?

User interface and data/processing are separate.

Why do we care about Client-server architecture?

Each component can be developed independently.

What is the Statelessness rule in REST?

The server does not rely on previous requests.

Why do we care about Statelessness?

Any server running the API can fulfill any client request.

What is the Cachability rule in REST?

Frequently accessed data can be stored for quick access.

Why do we care about Cachability?

It makes the application run faster.

What is the Layered system rule in REST?

Code works with intermediaries such as load balancers.

Why do we care about the Layered system?

It allows immediate scalability and mass deployment.

What is the Uniform interface rule in REST?

A self-contained

Why do we care about the Uniform interface?

Client developers know exactly how to code a request to the API.

What does CORS stand for?

Cross-Origin Resource Sharing.

What does enabling CORS allow?

It allows an API to accept requests from domains other than the one the API is hosted on.