Mobile applications are required to communicate with web/cloud services. The developers are required to optimize back-end APIs for superior mobile client experience. They can aid in creating the right impact through the app. Here are some mind-blowing tips that developers need to follow when developing mobile APIs.

  1. Pay Attention to API Version Right From Beginning

Mobile API goes through several changes in the development and upgrades cycle. APIs come in different versions. By paying attention to the API version right from start, app developers can keep track of API changes that have been introduced in the new version. If you make changes to the API without knowing its version, it may result in a non-functional app. As a result, whenever a modification is introduced, the application will not yield desired performance.

  1. Take Advantage of Local Storage and Caching

Slow mobile networks have a negative impact on the app’s performance. To prevent this from happening, app developers are required to store the CSS, HTML, and images in Local Storage. This trick works to reduce the size of HTML documents significantly. One additional tip that complements this is including all unchangeable data like main navigation categories within the application. By employing this development strategy, developers can do away with the need for pre-fetching data that takes a round trip of your mobile network. It removes the need for information including user data, paginated results, and queries. They are downloaded to mobile phones without additional requests being made.

  1. Pagination of Results is Strictly Recommended

Pagination refers to a technique where a big result set is divided into smaller chunks. While designing pagination of results, application developers should pay attention to paginating all results that return similar items. One important thing to do while pagination of results is the pagination Meta information should be displayed when paginated results are returned. An easy way to achieve this feat is using HTTP Link-Headers in the response. You need to understand the HTTP Link-Headers includes full URL to the first, next, last and previous page of the result set. This allows in easy handling of multiple paginated results simultaneously.

  1. Use Non-Blocking IO

If you want to optimize mobile API for the client, you need to pay attention to blocking JavaScript execution. However, if the API relies on the 3rd party; you need to consider non-blocking IO. You have two options when selecting non-blocking IO

Triggering Model – Also known as push-model, the triggering model has an API wherein the call will send a request to the server. The server then receives the call and responds to the requests. Additionally, a call back is sent to the server which triggers the event and announces the availability of the results.

Polling Model – It is also known a pull-based model where the Polling model API makes a request which is then followed by checking the availability of the results after specific intervals for particular requests.

  1. Authentication Shouldn’t Be Overlooked For Non-Public API

Hackers are everywhere looking for security loopholes. Thus, it goes without a saying that you need to have a streamlined authentication strategy in place. It is a good strategy to use HTTPs’ Basic Authentication for every HTTP client. This basic authentication procedure requires the user to enter a username and password to gain access to API. In addition; you can also allow the use of private access tokens for users to gain access like in the case of CI-server installations.

These are some important tips that you must follow for creating proper API for your mobile application. Take help from an experienced app development agency that can assure desired results.