Build API with Rails 7
Tags: ruby, rails, beginners, api
Published: 2023-02-11 10:03:59

## What is an API?

APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, is a crucial component of modern web development. They allow different applications to communicate with each other and exchange data in a seamless and efficient manner. If you're new to web development, you might be wondering how to build your own API. Well, you're in luck because Ruby on Rails makes it incredibly easy to create a secure and reliable API.

Simply put, an API is a set of rules that allow different software programs to communicate with each other. An API acts as an intermediary between two applications, allowing them to exchange data and information.

For example, imagine you have a website that displays weather information. The data for your website comes from a weather API that pulls information from a weather database.

## Building an API

So, how do you build an API with Ruby on Rails? 

First, you'll need to install Rails on your computer. If you're using a Mac, check out our free "*[Ruby on Rails: Mac Install Guide](https://dev.to/ahmadraza/ruby-on-rails-mac-install-guide-1h03)" for step-by-step instructions. Once you have Rails installed, you're ready to start building your API.

To create a new Rails API, you'll use the following command in your terminal:

```
rails new books_list --api
```


This will create a new Rails application called "**books_list**" and set it up as an **API-only application**, meaning it will not include the front-end components typically used in a web application.

Next, you'll need to create a model, which is a blueprint for the data in your API. Let's say you're building an API to manage a list of books.

You can create a model for books with the following command:


```
rails generate model Book title:string author:string
```

This will create a new model called **"Book"** with two attributes, "title" and "author."

Once you have your model, you'll need to create the API endpoint.

An endpoint is the specific location where the API can be accessed. You can create an endpoint for your book model with the following code in the `config/routes.rb` file:

```
Rails.application.routes.draw do
  resources :books
end
```

This code creates a **RESTful API endpoint** for your book model, allowing you to perform CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete) on your books.

Finally, you'll need to create the controller, which is responsible for handling the request and response for your API. 

You can create a controller for your book model with the following command:

```
rails generate controller Books
```

This will create a new controller called **"BooksController"**, which you can use to implement the logic for your API.

That's it! With these steps, you now have a basic API with Ruby on Rails. Of course, there's much more you can do to customize and secure your API, but this should give you a good starting point.

In conclusion, building an API with Ruby on Rails is a simple and straightforward process. With the right tools and techniques, you can create a secure and reliable API in no time. By following the steps outlined in this article, you will have a solid understanding of how to create an API with Ruby on Rails and the key components that make it secure and scalable. Remember to keep the API code clean and organised, use strong authentication and authorization methods, and test thoroughly before deploying. 

Happy coding!