This course combines engaging instructor-led presentations and useful demonstrations with valuable real-world hands-on labs and engaging group activities. Throughout the course you'll:

• Understanding and Implementing RESTful Architecture: Gain a thorough understanding of RESTful architecture principles, including how REST APIs function, the significance of HTTP methods and status codes, and the structure of URIs. Learn to differentiate between REST and other web services like SOAP.
• Developing and Securing REST APIs: Develop the skills to set up, design, and implement REST APIs using popular programming languages such as Python or Java. Learn to execute basic CRUD operations and apply essential security measures, including basic authentication and data encryption, to protect the API.
• Effective Data Management with REST APIs: Acquire the ability to handle data efficiently within REST APIs, including skills in JSON and XML data formats, serialization and deserialization processes, and best practices for data validation and error handling.
• API Documentation and Versioning Techniques: Learn to create comprehensive API documentation using tools like Swagger, understanding the importance of clear documentation in API development. Gain knowledge in API versioning strategies, handling deprecated APIs, and effectively communicating changes to API consumers.
• Practical Application of REST APIs: Develop hands-on experience in consuming external REST APIs, making HTTP requests, and integrating APIs with front-end applications. Learn best practices for API consumption and apply these skills to solve real-world problems, enhancing applications or organizational processes.

If your team requires different topics, additional skills or a custom approach, our team will collaborate with you to adjust the course to focus on your specific learning objectives and goals.

This introductory-level course is geared for developers, software engineers, and IT professionals who have a background in object-oriented programming and are seeking to expand their skillset in web services and API development. These individuals are typically familiar with web development concepts and have experience working with data formats like JSON and XML. The course is especially beneficial for those in roles where integrating, securing, or optimizing web-based services and applications is a key component of their responsibilities.

Please note that this list of topics is based on our standard course offering, evolved from typical industry uses and trends. We'll work with you to tune this course and level of coverage to target the skills you need most. Topics, agenda and labs are subject to change, and may adjust during live delivery based on audience skill level, interests and participation.

Day 1: Introduction to REST APIs and Basic Implementation

1. Introduction to REST and APIs (1.5 hours)

• Overview of RESTful architecture
• Principles of REST APIs
• HTTP methods and status codes
• URI structure and naming conventions
• Differences between SOAP and REST
• Lab 1: Setting up a basic REST environment (30 mins)

2. Setting up a RESTful API (1.5 hours)

• Understanding web servers and environments
• Introduction to a programming language for REST API (e.g., Python, Java)
• Frameworks for REST API development
• Setting up a development environment
• Basic CRUD operations
• Lab 2: Creating a simple CRUD API (30 mins)

3. Working with Data in REST APIs (1.5 hours)

• JSON and XML data formats
• Serialization and deserialization
• Handling data from databases
• Data validation and error handling
• Best practices for data management
• Lab 3: Implementing data handling (30 mins)

4. API Security Basics (1.5 hours)

• Importance of API security
• Basic authentication and authorization
• Secure data transmission (HTTPS)
• Common security vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL injection)
• Best practices for secure API design
• Lab 4: Securing a simple API (30 mins)

Day 2: Advanced Concepts and Best Practices

5. Session 5: API Documentation and Versioning (1.5 hours)

• Importance of good documentation
• Tools for API documentation (e.g., Swagger)
• Versioning strategies for APIs
• Handling deprecated APIs
• Communicating changes to API consumers
• Lab 5: Documenting an API (30 mins)

6. Advanced API Features (1.5 hours)

• Pagination, filtering, and sorting
• Rate limiting and caching
• Asynchronous operations
• Webhooks and real-time updates
• Error handling and custom responses
• Lab 6: Implementing advanced features (30 mins)

7. Consuming REST APIs (1.5 hours)

• Understanding API endpoints
• Making HTTP requests
• Handling responses and parsing data
• Integration with front-end applications
• Best practices for API consumption
• Lab 7: Consuming an external API (30 mins)

8. Review and Project (1.5 hours)

• Recap of key concepts
• Discussing real-world API examples
• Q&A and clarifications
• Introduction to the final project
• Lab 8: Final project: Building