Challenge your understanding of API Gateway essentials with these questions focused on routing, security, protocols, throttling, and integration in serverless application architectures. This quiz helps reinforce core concepts and best practices for designing efficient, secure, and scalable serverless APIs.
What is the primary purpose of using an API Gateway in a serverless application?
Explanation: An API Gateway acts as a central point for routing client requests to the appropriate backend services, simplifying communication and integration. It does not store user data like a database nor does it directly execute backend code. Managing user interfaces is outside the scope of an API Gateway, which deals with request and response traffic.
In serverless architectures, which HTTP method should an API Gateway use to safely create a new resource?
Explanation: POST is the standard HTTP method for creating new resources on a server and is recommended for data submission. GET is used only for retrieving information and should not change data. DELETE and PATCH serve for removing or partially updating resources, respectively, not creating them.
What is the best way for an API Gateway to restrict access to specific API endpoints?
Explanation: API Gateways commonly restrict access by enforcing authentication (identifying users) and authorization (verifying permissions). Serving static content does not protect endpoints, and request length limits do not control who can access APIs. Storing session data locally is unrelated to securing endpoints themselves.
Which API Gateway feature helps prevent overloading backend services by limiting client request rates?
Explanation: Rate limiting manages how many requests a client can make in a given time, protecting backend resources from heavy loads. Encryption secures data but does not control traffic. Versioning enables multiple API versions, and caching stores responses to improve performance, but neither regulates request rates.
Why is input validation at the API Gateway important when receiving requests in a serverless application?
Explanation: Validating input at the API Gateway ensures that all incoming data follows the required structure, reducing errors and security risks. Correcting spelling errors relates to text processing and is not a validation function. Image optimization and input storage are handled by specialized tools, not the Gateway's input validation.
Which protocols are commonly supported by API Gateways for client communication?
Explanation: API Gateways usually support HTTP and WebSocket, both widely used for client-server interactions and real-time communication. FTP and Telnet are older protocols not suitable for modern web APIs. SMTP, POP3, SNMP, and IMAP are used for email and network management, not for API exchanges.
What is an advantage of using an API Gateway to transform requests or responses between clients and backend services?
Explanation: Transforming data at the Gateway lets APIs adapt schemas or formats, making it easier for different systems to work together. Physical server relocation is outside the Gateway's role, as is managing application size or database structure. Only data transformation improves cross-system compatibility.
Why is it recommended to enable logging and monitoring on API Gateway endpoints in serverless applications?
Explanation: Logging and monitoring on the Gateway allows visibility into traffic patterns, errors, and performance, aiding troubleshooting and security. Automatically generating interfaces is unrelated to logging. Backend processing is still required regardless of logging, and encrypting files is managed elsewhere.
How does API Gateway versioning help support changes in a serverless application's API?
Explanation: Versioning enables old and new API versions to be available simultaneously, helping clients migrate at their own pace. Immediately forcing updates can disrupt users, while deleting code or only changing encryption does not address compatibility or change management.
What is a common way for an API Gateway to connect with backend serverless functions or resources?
Explanation: API Gateways commonly forward incoming requests to backend logic or resources using configured routes and supported protocols. Running local applications, printing documents, and managing cookies are not roles of an API Gateway and do not support backend integration.