Project Description
This project involves building a robust REST API using Flask or Django, aimed at providing a backend service that supports various functionalities for web and mobile applications. The API will facilitate data interactions, user authentication, and resource management in a structured and efficient manner.
The "Build Your Own REST API" project aims to develop a scalable and efficient API that can handle user requests, manage data models, and integrate with external services. This API will serve as the backbone for applications requiring data persistence, retrieval, and manipulation.
In today's application landscape, REST APIs are critical for enabling client-server communication. This project will create an API that empowers developers to build and maintain applications easily. Here's a more detailed look at how users will interact with the API:
User Registration and Authentication
Sign Up: New users can create an account by providing the necessary information. Upon successful registration, they will receive a confirmation email.
Login: Registered users can log in using their credentials. The API will support token-based authentication (JWT) for secure access.
Data Management
CRUD Operations: Users can create, read, update, and delete resources (e.g., products, orders, users) via standardized endpoints.
Filtering and Searching: Users can filter and search for resources based on various parameters.
Resource Interaction
Relationship Management: The API will support managing relationships between resources, allowing for nested and related data access.
Pagination: Users can paginate through large datasets to optimize data retrieval.
Administrator Features
Role Management: Administrators can manage user roles and permissions to control access to different API features.
Monitoring and Logging: Administrators can access logs and monitor API usage for performance optimization.
Objectives
Allow users to sign up, log in, and manage their accounts.
Enable users to perform CRUD operations on various resources.
Provide filtering, searching, and pagination features for data management.
Ensure secure access through token-based authentication.
Enable administrators to manage roles and monitor API usage effectively.
Functional Requirements User Management
Sign Up: Users can create an account by providing the necessary information.
Login: Users can log in using their email and password.
Profile Management: Users can update their profile information.
Resource Management
Create Resource: Users can create new resources (e.g., products).
Read Resource: Users can retrieve details of a specific resource or list of resources.
Update Resource: Users can update existing resources
Delete Resource: Users can delete resources they own.
Searching and Filtering
GET /resources?filter=value:Users can filter resources based on specific criteria.GET /resources?page=1&limit=10: Users can paginate through resources.
Administrator Features
GET /admin/users: Administrators can retrieve a list of all users.
PUT /admin/users/{id}: Administrators can update user roles and permissions
Non-Functional Requirements
Scalability: The API should handle an increasing number of users and requests efficiently.
Performance: The API should have low latency and high throughput.
Security: Implement authentication and authorization mechanisms to protect user data.
Reliability: The API should be available and handle errors gracefully.
Usability: The API should be easy to use and well-documented.
Use Cases
User Sign Up and Login: New users sign up and existing users log in.
Perform CRUD Operations: Users manage resources using the API.
Filter and Search Resources: Users find resources based on specific criteria.
Administrator Role Management: Administrators manage user roles and access.
User Stories
As a user, I want to sign up for an account so that I can access the API.
As a user, I want to log in so that I can manage my resources.
As a user, I want to create, read, update, and delete resources easily.
As a user, I want to filter and search resources to find what I need quickly.
As an administrator, I want to manage user roles to control access.
API Endpoints
User Management
POST /signup: Register a new user.
POST /login: Authenticate a user.
GET /profile: Get user profile details.
PUT /profile: Update user profile.
Resource Management
POST /resources: Create a new resource.
GET /resources: Retrieve a list of resources.
GET /resources/{id}: Retrieve a specific resource by ID.
PUT /resources/{id}: Update a resource by ID.
DELETE /resources/{id}: Delete a resource by ID.
Administrator Features
GET /admin/users: Retrieve a list of users (admin only).
PUT /admin/users/{id}: Update user roles and permissions (admin only).
Security
Use HTTPS to encrypt data in transit.
Implement input validation to prevent SQL injection and XSS attacks.
Use strong password hashing algorithms (e.g., bcrypt).
Performance
Implement caching strategies to improve response times.
Optimize database queries for efficiency.
Documentation
Provide comprehensive API documentation using tools like Swagger. Create user guides and developer documentation for easy integration and usage.
Glossary
API: Application Programming Interface.
JWT: JSON Web Token.
CRUD: Create, Read, Update, Delete.
Appendix
Include any relevant diagrams, data models, and additional references related to the REST API project.
