CRUD API

A CRUD API is an interface that allows users to perform create, read, update, and delete (CRUD) operations on a database.

• Create: Adds new data or objects to the application
• Read: Retrieves or fetches data from the application
• Update: Modifies existing data within the application
• Delete: Removes data from the application

CRUD APIs are a fundamental part of managing data within databases and are often used in the architectural design of REST APIs. REST, or Representational State Transfer, is a way to design web services that focuses on how clients and servers interact.

Security considerations for REST and CRUD

APIs enable applications to connect and communicate across networks and the Internet. Since REST and CRUD systems are APIs, these practices can leave cracks if the application isn’t secured effectively. Implementing these practices helps to close gaps and tighten security for your applications, whichever API method you choose.

Authentication and authorization

Implement authentication requirements to ensure only authorized users can access data. The 0Auth2 framework works well for applications and services utilizing REST principles, while role-based access controls work best for CRUD interactions.

Data validation

Implement protocols to ensure all data inputs meet specific criteria, such as file type and format, and that the system removes any potentially harmful data before processing.?

Encryption

Use secure HTTP (https) when transferring data and encrypt stored data to ensure it’s not accessible or viewable by unauthorized users.

Rate limiting

Limit the number of requests available for each client to prevent the API from overloading and ensure no client utilizes its share of resources. By gatekeeping API requests, rate limiting also helps guard the server from denial of service (DoS) attacks.

What are the differences between CRUD vs. REST?

Because of their similarities, it’s easy to mistake REST and CRUD for having the same function. But that’s far from the truth. Diving a little bit deeper explores their differences.?

• REST is an architectural system centered around resources and Hypermedia using HTTP commands. CRUD is a cycle meant to maintain records in a database setting. In its base form, CRUD is a way of manipulating information and describing an application’s function. REST is a way of controlling data through HTTP commands. It is a way of creating, modifying, and deleting information for the user.?
• CRUD functions can exist in a REST API, but REST APIs are not limited to CRUD functions. CRUD can operate within a REST architecture, but REST APIs can exist independently of CRUD. For example, a REST API can allow clients to reboot a server even if it doesn’t correspond to any CRUD functions. REST can do this as long as it uses the proper HTTP methods.?
• REST usually refers to using data through HTTP commands. It’s a dogma that facilitates how users manipulate data onscreen and save the information on the server. Programmers can create a REST API that can handle the essential CRUD functions, but the same can’t be said the other way around.?
• The functions of REST and CRUD are similar (as discussed above), but they are not the same. PUT replaces a resource, even one that doesn’t exist yet. POST adds a new resource. Both of these commands create a new resource, but PUT is usually used to update resources that are already there. PATCH is mainly used to update a part of a resource, but PUT is used only to update an entire resource by replacing it.?

REST and CRUD work together, but they are not the same

REST and CRUD work together because CRUD can exist within a REST environment, and their functions often correspond to each other, but they are not the same. The best way to differentiate between them is to remember that REST is a standard (an API architecture), and CRUD is a function. Understanding this essential but straightforward difference is necessary for understanding both.?