A REST API (also known as a RESTful API) is a web API or application programming interface (API) that follows the REST guidelines. REST is neither a protocol or a standard, but rather a collection of architectural limitations.
To be termed RESTful, an API must meet the following requirements:
- Clients, servers, and resources make comprise a client-server architecture, with HTTP requests managing requests.
- Client-server communication that is stateless means that no client information is kept between get requests and that each request is distinct and unrelated.
- Data that can be cached to speed up client-server interactions.
- A standard interface between components that allows information to be exchanged in a consistent fashion.
- The retrieval of requested information into hierarchies, which are invisible to the client, is part of a tiered system that organizes each type of server (those responsible for security, load-balancing, and so on).
- Code-on-demand (optional): the ability to transfer executable code from the server to the client when it is requested, hence increasing client capabilities.
REST APIs offer a lot of flexibility, which is one of its biggest benefits. REST can accommodate many sorts of calls, return diverse data formats, and even change fundamentally with the right implementation of hypermedia since data is not linked to resources or functions.
Using this architecture for a geolocation API is a great advantage since it’s so versatile.
There are many REST Geolocation APIs out there, so here are a few options:
1. ipXapi
ipXapi is a fantastic and useful tool for detecting geolocation and identifying IP addresses. It’s a free website visitor tracking tool that uses JSON, PHP, and Python.
It supports more than 2 million unique locations in more than 200.000 cities throughout the world. Thanks to its database and API, the IP statistics on this website are fairly accurate. It’s linked to a number of well-known Internet service providers (ISPs), which give data on new and current IP ranges on a regular basis. Because ipXapi is linked to so many channels that provide real-time IP data, the API’s database is regularly updated, with up to 24 database changes each day.
2. ipify
ipify is a platform-independent API for creating an unlimited number of public IP numbers. The IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are supported by this open-source API, and no visitor information is stored.
It’s always up and running, and Heroku provides the infrastructure, so even if the API server goes down, Ipify will continue to function.
3. ipregistry
Ipregistry offers a wonderful combination of pricing and excellent functionality with a pay-as-you-go payment option. Because its API in JSON and XML forms is incredibly scalable, you can quickly integrate it without worrying about running too many queries.
Also published on Medium.