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ADVANCED WEB TECHNOLOGIES
Advanced Web Technologies
1. Web APIs and Services • Overview: Web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) allow different software applications to communicate with each other over the internet. These APIs expose functionalities and data to external services and applications. • Types: o RESTful APIs: ▪ REST (Representational State Transfer): A web service architectural style that uses standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and stateless communication. ▪ Key Principles: ▪ Statelessness: Each API call contains all the information the server needs. ▪ Resource-Based: Everything is a resource, identified by a URI. ▪ Client-Server Architecture: Separation of client and server concerns. ▪ Cacheability: Responses should indicate if they are cacheable. ▪ Advantages: Simplicity, scalability, flexibility in formats (JSON, XML). o SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol): ▪ SOAP: A protocol for exchanging structured information in web services using XML. ▪ Key Features: ▪ Extensibility: Can handle different types of protocols (HTTP, SMTP). ▪ Security: Supports WS-Security for secure communication. ▪ Standardization: Defined set of rules and standards. ▪ Advantages: Stronger security features, formal contract via WSDL (Web Services Description Language). Data Formats: JSON and XML • JSON (JavaScript Object Notation): o Overview: A lightweight data-interchange format that's easy to read and write for humans and easy to parse and generate for machines. o Syntax: Uses key-value pairs, arrays, and objects. o Use Cases: Preferred in modern web APIs due to its simplicity and compatibility with JavaScript. • XML (eXtensible Markup Language): o Overview: A markup language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format readable by both humans and machines. o Syntax: Uses tags to define elements, with attributes and nested elements. o Use Cases: Commonly used in legacy systems, SOAP, and scenarios requiring complex data structures. 2. WebSockets • Overview: WebSockets provide a full-duplex communication channel over a single, long- lived connection between the client and server. • Real-time Web Communication: o Usage: Suitable for applications requiring low latency and real-time updates, such as chat applications, live feeds, or gaming. o Protocol: Upgrades an HTTP connection to a WebSocket connection via the Upgrade header. • Implementing WebSockets: o Client-Side: ▪ Use the WebSocket object in JavaScript. ▪ Events: onopen, onmessage, onerror, and onclose handle connection states and messages. o Server-Side: ▪ Implement WebSocket servers using frameworks or libraries in languages like Node.js (e.g., ws library), Python, or Java. o Security Considerations: Use WSS (WebSocket Secure) for encrypted communication. 3. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) • Overview: PWAs are web applications that use modern web capabilities to deliver an app-like experience to users. They are designed to be reliable, fast, and engaging. • Characteristics: o Responsive: Fits any form factor, including desktop, mobile, and tablets. o Offline Capabilities: Works offline or on low-quality networks. o App-Like: Feels like a native app with app- like interactions and navigation. o Installable: Users can add them to their home screens without needing an app store. o Secure: Served via HTTPS to prevent snooping and ensure content integrity. • Service Workers: o Overview: Background scripts that intercept network requests, cache resources, and manage offline experiences. o Capabilities: ▪ Caching assets for offline use. ▪ Handling push notifications. ▪ Background synchronization. o Lifecycle: Installation, activation, and idle phases. • Installing and Deploying PWAs: o Manifest File: Describes the app's appearance, behavior, and metadata (e.g., icons, theme colors). o Installation: Users can install PWAs directly from the browser. o Deployment: Deploy on a web server with HTTPS, ensuring proper caching and service worker configuration. Summary • Web APIs and Services: Focus on RESTful and SOAP APIs, with REST being the simpler, more flexible option, and SOAP offering stronger security and formal contracts. • Data Formats: JSON is preferred for its simplicity and ease of use with modern web technologies, while XML remains relevant in specific contexts like SOAP. • WebSockets: Enables real-time communication, crucial for applications requiring instant updates. Implementation involves handling connections and messages on both the client and server sides. o Combine the best of web and native apps, offering offline capabilities, app-like experiences, and installability, made possible by service workers and manifest files.