Exploring How To Make JavaScript API Call

This article aims to provide a complete guide on how to make JavaScript API calls, empowering developers to harness the full potential of web APIs and enhance their applications’ functionality.

So, let’s get into the world of JavaScript API calls and explore the limitless possibilities they offer!

What is JavaScript API Call?

In simple terms, a JavaScript API call is when we use JavaScript code to communicate with an API.

An API is like a set of rules that lets different software applications talk to each other. It’s a way for developers to access specific features or data from a remote server or service.

When we make an API call in JavaScript, we usually use a function called fetch() or similar methods provided by the browser.

These functions allow us to send requests to the API’s address and handle the information that comes back in response. It’s a way to exchange data between our JavaScript code and the API, so we can use the information provided by the API in our application

Benefits of JavaScript API Calls

Here are the benefits of working with Javascript API calls.

• Data integration from remote servers or services.
• Dynamic content updates without page reload.
• Asynchronous operations for improved performance.
• Reuse of existing services and data sources.
• Modular development for scalability and flexibility.

How to make API call in JavaScript?

There are four(4) ways to make a JavaScript API Call.

1. Using XMLHttpRequest
2. API Call Using Fetch
3. Using Axios
4. Using jQuery

Using XMLHttpRequest

XMLHttpRequest is an outdated method of sending API requests in JavaScript that is still compatible with modern web browsers.

It requires more code compared to the fetch() function and relies on callbacks rather than Promises.

Making an API call using XMLHttpRequest involves a series of steps to send a request to an API endpoint and handle the response.

Here is an overview of the process:

Create an instance of XMLHttpRequest:

var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest();

Specify the HTTP method and URL:

var method = "GET"; // or "POST", "PUT", "DELETE", etc.
var url = "https://api.example.com/endpoint";
xhr.open(method, url, true);

Set request headers (if necessary):

xhr.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json");
xhr.setRequestHeader("Authorization", "Bearer your_access_token");

Define a callback function to handle the response:

xhr.onreadystatechange = function() {
  if (xhr.readyState === XMLHttpRequest.DONE) {
    if (xhr.status === 200) {
      // Request was successful
      var response = JSON.parse(xhr.responseText);
      console.log(response);
    } else {
      // Request failed
      console.log("Error: " + xhr.status);
    }
  }
};

Send the request:

xhr.send();

In this example, we use the open() method to specify the HTTP method and URL. If you need to send data with a request, you can include it as the argument in the send() method.

The onreadystatechange event handler is triggered whenever the state of the request changes. We check if the request is completed (xhr.readyState === XMLHttpRequest.DONE) and if the response status is successful (xhr.status === 200).

If so, we can process the response data, usually by parsing it as JSON. If the request fails, we can handle the error accordingly.

API Call Using Fetch

The fetch function is a modern way to make asynchronous HTTP requests in JavaScript. It returns a Promise that resolves to the response from the server.

Here’s the basic syntax for making an API call using fetch:

fetch(url, options)
  .then(response => {
    // Handle the response
  })
  .catch(error => {
    // Handle any errors
  });

url: The URL of the API endpoint you want to send the request to.
options: An optional object that allows you to configure the request with parameters such as method, headers, body, etc.

Here is the example program:

// Define the API endpoint URL
const url = "https://api.example.com/endpoint";

// Define the request options
const options = {
  method: "GET", // or "POST", "PUT", "DELETE", etc.
  headers: {
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
    "Authorization": "Bearer your_access_token"
  }
};

// Make the API call using fetch
fetch(url, options)
  .then(response => {
    if (response.ok) {
      // Request was successful
      return response.json(); // Parse the response body as JSON
    } else {
      // Request failed
      throw new Error("Error: " + response.status);
    }
  })
  .then(data => {
    // Process the response data
    console.log(data);
  })
  .catch(error => {
    // Handle any errors that occurred during the request
    console.log(error);
  });

In this example, we define the API endpoint URL and the request options, including the method and headers.

We use fetch to make the API call, passing the URL and options as arguments.

The then method is used to handle the response from the server.

If the response status is in the range of 200-299, indicating a successful request, we can parse the response body as JSON using the json method.

If the response status is outside this range, we throw an error.

Finally, we use another then method to process the response data and a catch method to handle any errors that occurred during the request.

The fetch function provides a more modern and convenient way to make API calls compared to the older XMLHttpRequest method, as it returns Promises and provides a simpler syntax.

Using Axios

Axios is a popular JavaScript library for making HTTP requests. It provides a simple and easy-to-use interface for sending API requests and handling responses.

To use Axios, you need to include the library in your JavaScript project. You can do this by including the Axios library from a CDN or by installing it using a package manager like npm or Yarn.

Here’s the basic syntax for making an API call using Axios:

axios({
  method: "GET", // or "POST", "PUT", "DELETE", etc.
  url: "https://api.example.com/endpoint",
  headers: {
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
    "Authorization": "Bearer your_access_token"
  },
  // Other request options
})
  .then(response => {
    // Handle the response
  })
  .catch(error => {
    // Handle any errors
  });

Here is the example program:

// Import the Axios library
import axios from "axios";

// Define the API endpoint URL
const url = "https://api.example.com/endpoint";

// Define the request options
const options = {
  method: "GET", // or "POST", "PUT", "DELETE", etc.
  headers: {
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
    "Authorization": "Bearer your_access_token"
  }
};

// Make the API call using Axios
axios(url, options)
  .then(response => {
    // Handle the response
    console.log(response.data);
  })
  .catch(error => {
    // Handle any errors
    console.log(error);
  });

In this example, we import the Axios library, which allows us to use the Axios function to make API calls.

We define the API endpoint URL and the request options, including the method and headers.

We then use the Axios function, passing the URL and options as arguments. The then method is used to handle the response from the server.

If the request is successful, we can access the response data using response.data. If an error occurs during the request, we handle it using the catch method.

Using jQuery in JavaScript call API

jQuery is a popular JavaScript library that simplifies many common tasks, including making API requests. It provides an easy-to-use interface for sending HTTP requests and handling responses.

To use jQuery for API calls, you need to include the jQuery library in your HTML file. You can either download the library and host it locally or include it from a CDN.

Here’s the basic syntax for making an API call using jQuery:

$.ajax({
  url: "https://api.example.com/endpoint",
  method: "GET", // or "POST", "PUT", "DELETE", etc.
  headers: {
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
    "Authorization": "Bearer your_access_token"
  },
  success: function(response) {
    // Handle the successful response
  },
  error: function(jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) {
    // Handle any errors
  }
});

Example code:

// Define the API endpoint URL
var url = "https://api.example.com/endpoint";

// Make the API call using jQuery
$.ajax({
  url: url,
  method: "GET", // or "POST", "PUT", "DELETE", etc.
  headers: {
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
    "Authorization": "Bearer your_access_token"
  },
  success: function(response) {
    // Handle the successful response
    console.log(response);
  },
  error: function(jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) {
    // Handle any errors
    console.log("Error: " + textStatus, errorThrown);
  }
});

In this example, we use the $.ajax function provided by jQuery to make the API call.

We pass an object as an argument to $.ajax, specifying the URL, method, headers, and callback functions.

If the request is successful, the success callback function is called, and we can handle the response in that function.

The response parameter contains the response data.

If an error occurs during the request, the error callback function is called.

The jqXHR parameter contains the jQuery XMLHttpRequest object, and textStatus and errorThrown provide information about the error.

Methods of Javascript call API Comparison

Below is a summary table outlining the distinctions among the four approaches to performing API calls in JavaScript:

Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
XMLHttpRequest	A commonly embraced API with extensive support from various sources.	Wordier and utilizes callbacks instead of Promises.
fetch()	Contemporary API designed for executing requests.	Requires the use of Promises or async/await for proper handling.
axios	A widely used external library offering extra functionalities.	Introduces extra burden to the project.
jQuery.ajax()	A jQuery function that shares similarities with XMLHttpRequest but includes extra capabilities.	Necessitates the inclusion of the jQuery library in the project.

Best Practices for JavaScript API Calls

When working with JavaScript API calls, it’s essential to follow best practices to ensure efficient and secure code.

Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

• Always handle errors and display meaningful error messages to the users.
• Implement caching mechanisms to reduce redundant API calls and improve performance.
• Use appropriate authentication and authorization methods based on the API provider’s requirements.
• Follow the principles of modular and reusable code by separating API call logic from other application logic.
• Thoroughly read and understand the API documentation to utilize the available functionalities effectively.
• Use appropriate HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) based on the intended action.
• By adhering to these best practices, we can write clean, maintainable, and efficient code when making JavaScript API calls.

Here are additional resources you can check out to help you master JavaScript.

• Date to UTC JavaScript: Converting Methods
• Mastering Timestamp to Date Conversion in JavaScript

Conclusion

This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to make JavaScript API calls, empowering developers to leverage web APIs and enhance application functionality.

• JavaScript API calls involve using code to interact with an Application Programming Interface (API) for communication between different software applications.
• Four methods for making JavaScript API calls are discussed: XMLHttpRequest, fetch(), Axios, and jQuery.ajax().
• Each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

By following these best practices, developers can write efficient and secure code to make JavaScript API calls and harness the full potential of web APIs.