20 Python API Interview Questions and Answers

Python is a versatile language that you can use on the backend, frontend, or full stack of a web application. In this article, we will focus on questions you may encounter during a job interview that relate to Python APIs. An API is an interface that allows two pieces of software to communicate with each other. It is important to understand how to work with APIs in Python in order to build robust and scalable web applications. We will review some common interview questions related to this topic so that you can be prepared for your next job interview.

Python API Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Python API interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is an API in Python?

An API is an interface that allows two pieces of software to communicate with each other. In Python, an API is typically a set of functions and classes that allow developers to access certain features or data of an application.

2. Can you explain what REST stands for? Why do we use it?

REST stands for Representational State Transfer. It is a way of organizing data and making sure that different applications can communicate with each other. We use it because it is a simple and efficient way to access data.

3. What’s the difference between a client and a server when using APIs?

A client is a program that makes requests to an API, while a server is a program that responds to those requests.

4. What are some of the most popular web services that support RESTful APIs?

Some of the most popular web services that support RESTful APIs are Amazon S3, Google Maps, and Twitter.

5. How does authentication work with RESTful APIs?

Authentication with a RESTful API typically works by sending some sort of credentials in the request header. This could be a username and password, an API key, or some other form of credentials. The API will then use these credentials to verify the identity of the user and determine whether or not they are authorized to make the request.

6. What is the best way to test RESTful APIs?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to test a RESTful API will vary depending on the specific API and the application it is being used for. However, some tips on testing RESTful APIs include using a tool like Postman to test individual API calls, and using a tool like JMeter to test the performance of the API.

7. Is there any standard format that all RESTful APIs must follow? If yes, then which one?

There is no standard format that all RESTful APIs must follow, but there are some common conventions that are often used. For example, many APIs use the JSON format for data exchange, and many also use HTTP methods such as GET, POST, and PUT for different operations.

8. What are some common security risks associated with RESTful APIs?

One common security risk associated with RESTful APIs is that of SQL injection attacks. This is where malicious code is injected into an SQL statement in order to gain access to sensitive data. Another risk is that of cross-site scripting attacks, where malicious code is injected into a web page in order to exploit vulnerabilities in the browser.

9. What tools can be used to automate API testing?

There are a few different tools that can be used to automate API testing, including SoapUI, Postman, and Curl.

10. What is Postman? Why do we need it?

Postman is a tool that allows developers to test API calls. It can be used to test both the request and the response of an API call. This is important because it allows developers to ensure that their API is functioning correctly and that the data being returned is what is expected.

11. What is the difference between SOAP and REST APIs? Which one would you choose in certain situations?

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a standards-based web services access protocol that has been around for a long time. It uses XML for its message format, and it relies on other standards like HTTP and SMTP for message transport. REST (Representational State Transfer) is a newer style of web services that is not based on any standard. It uses simple HTTP requests for message transport and relies on XML or JSON for message formatting.

In general, SOAP is better for older, more established web services, while REST is better for newer web services that are designed to be more easily accessible by a wider range of clients.

12. What are some examples of public APIs?

Some examples of public APIs are the Twitter API, the Facebook API, and the Google Maps API.

13. How can you create a new API on Amazon Web Services?

You can create a new API on Amazon Web Services by using the AWS API Gateway. This will allow you to create a new API that can be used by developers to access your AWS resources.

14. What is an API gateway? When should it be used?

An API gateway is a server that acts as a single point of entry for a set of microservices. An API gateway should be used when you need to provide a single, unified interface for a set of microservices. This can help to reduce complexity for developers, as they only need to interact with a single API instead of multiple microservices.

15. What is API documentation? What tool would you use to generate it?

API documentation is documentation that describes how to use a software application programming interface (API). It typically includes information about the functions and classes in the API, as well as how to use them. A tool that can be used to generate API documentation is Doxygen.

16. What is Swagger? How is it related to APIs?

Swagger is a tool that can be used to automatically generate documentation for an API. This documentation can then be used by developers to more easily understand how the API works and how to use it. Swagger is often used in conjunction with APIs, as it can provide a more user-friendly way to access API documentation.

17. Can you give me an example where it makes sense to use a private API?

While there are many reasons why an API might be private, one common reason is when an API is still in development and not ready for public consumption. In this case, the developers may want to keep the API private in order to control who has access to it and to avoid any potential problems that could arise from its use. Once the API is ready for public release, it can then be made public.

18. What is OpenAPI Specification (OAS)?

The OpenAPI Specification (OAS) is a standard for defining how REST APIs are structured. It is used to describe the functionality of a REST API, and is often used in conjunction with Swagger, a tool for automatically generating documentation for a REST API.

19. What are some important features of OAS?

OAS is a Python API that allows for easy access to data stored in an XML file. It is designed to be simple and easy to use, and it provides a number of features that make it an essential tool for working with XML data. One of the most important features of OAS is its ability to automatically convert XML data into Python objects. This makes it much easier to work with XML data in Python, as you don’t have to worry about manually parsing the data. OAS also provides a number of other features, such as the ability to validate XML data against a schema, and the ability to generate XML data from Python objects.

20. Why is versioning important in APIs?

Versioning is important in APIs because it allows developers to maintain backwards compatibility as they make changes to the API. By versioning the API, developers can release new versions of the API without breaking existing integrations.