Endpoint vs. URI

Attribute	Endpoint	URI
Definition	It is a URL where an API or web service can be accessed	It is a string of characters used to identify a resource on the internet
Usage	Used to specify the location of a resource or service	Used to uniquely identify a resource
Structure	Consists of a base URL and a path to a specific resource	Consists of a scheme, authority, path, query, and fragment
HTTP Methods	Endpoints are associated with specific HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE	URIs do not have a direct association with HTTP methods
Dynamic Parameters	Endpoints can have dynamic parameters that can be passed in the URL	URIs can also have dynamic parameters, typically passed as query parameters

Definition

An endpoint is a specific URL or URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) that is used to access a particular resource on a server. It is essentially the destination of a communication link. On the other hand, a URI is a string of characters that identifies a particular resource. It can be used to locate and access resources on the internet.

Structure

Endpoints typically consist of a base URL followed by a path that specifies the location of the resource. For example, https://www.example.com/api/users is an endpoint that points to the users resource on the example.com server. URIs, on the other hand, can take various forms such as URLs, URNs (Uniform Resource Names), and URCs (Uniform Resource Characteristics).

Usage

Endpoints are commonly used in web development to interact with APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). Developers can make HTTP requests to specific endpoints to retrieve or manipulate data. URIs, on the other hand, are used to identify resources on the web. They are used in hyperlinks, bookmarks, and other web-related activities.

Uniqueness

Endpoints are typically unique within a specific API or web service. Each endpoint serves a specific purpose and points to a particular resource. URIs, on the other hand, must be unique globally. This means that no two resources can have the same URI. This uniqueness is essential for ensuring that resources can be located and accessed correctly.

Security

Endpoints can play a crucial role in securing APIs. By restricting access to specific endpoints, developers can control who can access certain resources and what actions they can perform. URIs, on the other hand, do not inherently provide security features. It is up to developers to implement security measures to protect resources identified by URIs.

Flexibility

Endpoints can be dynamic, meaning that they can accept parameters to customize the response. For example, an endpoint for retrieving user information may accept a user ID as a parameter to return specific user data. URIs, on the other hand, are static and do not typically accept parameters. They are used to identify resources without modification.

Evolution

Endpoints can evolve over time as APIs are updated and new features are added. Developers can introduce new endpoints or modify existing ones to accommodate changes in the system. URIs, on the other hand, are designed to be permanent and should not change once they are assigned. This ensures consistency and reliability in accessing resources.

Conclusion

In conclusion, endpoints and URIs serve different purposes in web development and internet communication. Endpoints are specific URLs that point to resources on a server and are commonly used in APIs. URIs, on the other hand, are strings that identify resources globally and are used in hyperlinks and other web-related activities. Understanding the attributes of endpoints and URIs is essential for developers to effectively design and implement web applications.