Easy access public APIs for projects!
Tags: api, codenewbie, programming
Published: 2021-07-18 19:16:02

Based from the title, you're probably wondering why if there is Google to help you look? Right?

Well, when I was was in the bootcamp, we had to build projects every phase and in need of these types of resources and build our own web app from it. I know there is alot more ways to search for these online, but this blog is to help save one's time in doing so.

First, what is a public API?
A public API is also known as open API. Open for public use and is usually free! 

So, here's a few public APIs that either just caught my eye for a future build, or have used on my old projects!


#### 1.[Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/api/documentation/?language=javascript#introduction) 
- Photo/Video API
   - _[Authorization](https://www.pexels.com/api/documentation/?language=javascript#authorization): You would just need to request an API key by making a Pexels account and on the Doc is the format how to utilize that key on your code. It'll get you 20,000 request limit per month._

**Easy to follow Docs:**
![Screenshot of Docs](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/55f8635e4ylesaypwbcy.png)

**Sample photo from the API:**
<img src="https://images.pexels.com/photos/3573351/pexels-photo-3573351.png" alt="trees on drone footage"/>


#### 2.[NHTSA - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration](https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/api/) 
- Vehicle Info/Specs API(_Seems always updated, currently on Version: 3.7 - Last Code Change 6/12/2021_)
  - Authorization: No API key needed!

**Sample response from the API:Variable List**
![JSON response](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ogybtnxp052oxvl2bcf4.png)

#### 3.[Random Joke](https://official-joke-api.appspot.com/random_joke)
- There's also endpoints like `/random_ten, /jokes/random,` or `/jokes/ten`.
  - Authorization: No API key needed!

**Sample response from the API:/random_ten endpoint**
![JSON response of 10 jokes](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/3gcgitoh3vg2osmx7d1d.png)

#### 4.[Pokemon API](https://pokeapi.co/api/v2/pokemon/) 
- Free and open to use source of Pokemon data! From names, to sprites, to evolution chain! There are so much ways you can utilize this API with so much information it holds.
  - Authorization: No API key needed!

**Sample images from the API:** _https://pokeapi.co/api/v2/pokemon/{:id}_ endpoint                                                                              
![Bulbasaur images from API](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/iziys3t19mxcf19o93n2.png)

#### 5.[MakeUp API](https://makeup-api.herokuapp.com/)
- Free source of cosmetic products, very usefule if you need to build a mock cosmetic webapp (Con: some of the image links aren't updated and you might need a default photo for those)
  - Authorization: No API key needed!

**Easy to follow Docs:**
![MakeUp API Parameter list](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/60agkdssazejlw31jjgr.png)

**Sample response from the API: Base URL**
![JSON Response from API](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ihho9sbxmdtsifyi1a3w.png)

#### 6.[Skincare API](https://skincare-api.herokuapp.com/products)
- 1,700+ skincare products with their ingredient list and brand.
  - Authorization: No need for API key or signup

![JSON response from API](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/3dt785sy7fwj7vdxgkv3.png)

#### 7. [Random Colors](https://www.colr.org/api.html) 
- Returns a random hex-code in a string. Responses can be JSON and you can search by tags.
  - Authorization: No need for API key or signup

![API instruction](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/8xbmfvwe5fcu1b0vwcdi.png)

#### 8. [Dictionary API](https://dictionaryapi.dev/)
- Base URL syntax: `https://api.dictionaryapi.dev/api/v2/entries/<language_code>/<word>`
- Free and supports 13 languages!
     - Authorization: No API key needed!

**Easy to follow Docs:**
![API Docs](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/sxbz7dbn2aufg7egw1cf.png)

#### 9. [Songsterr](https://www.songsterr.com/a/wa/api/)
- Returns an array of songs per artist or word search. It supports xml, json, and plist.
   - Authorization: No need for API key or signup
**Easy to follow Docs:**
![Songsterr API Doc](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/1em4q50019ssdjgtpuzv.png)

**Other sources for free API that I have used are from:** 
- [RapidAPI](https://rapidapi.com/collection/list-of-free-apis) 
- [Public API - Github repo](https://github.com/public-apis/public-apis) - Easy to go through since its sorted if you need any authorization.
- [Postman Public API](https://www.postman.com/explore/apis) - might need a little more time to browse around to see details of each API.

Hope this was helpful to anyone looking into utilizing some free & easy-access APIs into their projects! If you have any other suggestions of resources, feel free to share it in the comments below!

Until the next one!