ADVANCED WEB TECHNOLOGIES

Advanced Web Technologies

1. Web APIs and Services
• Overview: Web APIs (Application
Programming Interfaces) allow different
software applications to communicate with
each other over the internet. These APIs
expose functionalities and data to external
services and applications.
• Types:
o RESTful APIs:
▪ REST (Representational State
Transfer): A web service architectural
style that uses standard HTTP
methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
and stateless communication.
▪ Key Principles:
 ▪ Statelessness: Each API call
contains all the information the
server needs.
▪ Resource-Based: Everything is a
resource, identified by a URI.
▪ Client-Server Architecture:
Separation of client and server
concerns.
▪ Cacheability: Responses should
indicate if they are cacheable.
▪ Advantages: Simplicity, scalability,
flexibility in formats (JSON, XML).
o SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol):
▪ SOAP: A protocol for exchanging
structured information in web
services using XML.
▪ Key Features:
▪ Extensibility: Can handle different
types of protocols (HTTP, SMTP).
 ▪ Security: Supports WS-Security
for secure communication.
▪ Standardization: Defined set of
rules and standards.
▪ Advantages: Stronger security
features, formal contract via WSDL
(Web Services Description Language).
Data Formats: JSON and XML
• JSON (JavaScript Object Notation):
o Overview: A lightweight data-interchange
format that's easy to read and write for
humans and easy to parse and generate
for machines.
o Syntax: Uses key-value pairs, arrays, and
objects.
o Use Cases: Preferred in modern web APIs
due to its simplicity and compatibility
with JavaScript.
• XML (eXtensible Markup Language):
 o Overview: A markup language that
defines a set of rules for encoding
documents in a format readable by both
humans and machines.
o Syntax: Uses tags to define elements,
with attributes and nested elements.
o Use Cases: Commonly used in legacy
systems, SOAP, and scenarios requiring
complex data structures.
2. WebSockets
• Overview: WebSockets provide a full-duplex
communication channel over a single, long-
lived connection between the client and
server.
• Real-time Web Communication:
o Usage: Suitable for applications requiring
low latency and real-time updates, such
as chat applications, live feeds, or gaming.
 o Protocol: Upgrades an HTTP connection
to a WebSocket connection via the
Upgrade header.
• Implementing WebSockets:
o Client-Side:
▪ Use the WebSocket object in
JavaScript.
▪ Events: onopen, onmessage, onerror,
and onclose handle connection states
and messages.
o Server-Side:
▪ Implement WebSocket servers using
frameworks or libraries in languages
like Node.js (e.g., ws library), Python,
or Java.
o Security Considerations: Use WSS
(WebSocket Secure) for encrypted
communication.
3. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
• Overview: PWAs are web applications that
use modern web capabilities to deliver an
app-like experience to users. They are
designed to be reliable, fast, and engaging.
• Characteristics:
o Responsive: Fits any form factor, including
desktop, mobile, and tablets.
o Offline Capabilities: Works offline or on
low-quality networks.
o App-Like: Feels like a native app with app-
like interactions and navigation.
o Installable: Users can add them to their
home screens without needing an app
store.
o Secure: Served via HTTPS to prevent
snooping and ensure content integrity.
• Service Workers:
o Overview: Background scripts that
intercept network requests, cache
 resources, and manage offline
experiences.
o Capabilities:
▪ Caching assets for offline use.
▪ Handling push notifications.
▪ Background synchronization.
o Lifecycle: Installation, activation, and idle
phases.
• Installing and Deploying PWAs:
o Manifest File: Describes the app's
appearance, behavior, and metadata (e.g.,
icons, theme colors).
o Installation: Users can install PWAs
directly from the browser.
o Deployment: Deploy on a web server with
HTTPS, ensuring proper caching and
service worker configuration.
Summary
• Web APIs and Services: Focus on RESTful and
SOAP APIs, with REST being the simpler, more
flexible option, and SOAP offering stronger
security and formal contracts.
• Data Formats: JSON is preferred for its
simplicity and ease of use with modern web
technologies, while XML remains relevant in
specific contexts like SOAP.
• WebSockets: Enables real-time
communication, crucial for applications
requiring instant updates. Implementation
involves handling connections and messages
on both the client and server sides.
o Combine the best of web and native
apps, offering offline capabilities, app-like
experiences, and installability, made
possible by service workers and manifest
files.