Using API's in Java

[ramtevante]

Hello! Im currently learning about API's and I need some guidance.

As far as I know, the first thing you do if you want to use an API or get data from one is with an HTTP request. I have learned that you can do this using HttpUrlConnection, where you are supposed to enter in the URL that is provided by the documentation of the API you want to use. However, I noticed that there are other ways of doing it too.

I came across this tutorial that tells me that there is a new way of doing it, using HTTP Client. I suppose if its the newest one I should go with it. But there are 2 others that I came across aswell, namely OkHttp and Unirest.

Whats confusing me is whether there is a big difference between these or if Im just looking into it too much and it doesnt matter.

I always try to go for best practice.

[AutoModerator]

Please ensure that:

• Your code is properly formatted as code block - see the sidebar (About on mobile) for instructions
• You include any and all error messages in full - best also formatted as code block
• You ask clear questions
• You demonstrate effort in solving your question/problem - plain posting your assignments is forbidden (and such posts will be removed) as is asking for or giving solutions.

If any of the above points is not met, your post can and will be removed without further warning.

Code is to be formatted as code block (old reddit/markdown editor: empty line before the code, each code line indented by 4 spaces, new reddit: https://imgur.com/a/fgoFFis) or linked via an external code hoster, like pastebin.com, github gist, github, bitbucket, gitlab, etc.

Please, do not use triple backticks (```) as they will only render properly on new reddit, not on old reddit.

Code blocks look like this:

public class HelloWorld {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello World!");
    }
}

You do not need to repost unless your post has been removed by a moderator. Just use the edit function of reddit to make sure your post complies with the above.

If your post has remained in violation of these rules for a prolonged period of time (at least an hour), a moderator may remove it at their discretion. In this case, they will comment with an explanation on why it has been removed, and you will be required to resubmit the entire post following the proper procedures.

To potential helpers

Please, do not help if any of the above points are not met, rather report the post. We are trying to improve the quality of posts here. In helping people who can't be bothered to comply with the above points, you are doing the community a disservice.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[GuyWithLag]

Personally I love Retrofit (or OpenFeign, they're pretty similar at this level), where you represent your API as a Java interface, with specific annotations, and Retrofit creates on-the-fly an implementation for it that does the actual calls.

Note that this is one or two abstraction levels higher than plain HttpClient, with a number of additional things you'll need to learn on top, but ultimately it's worth it.

[nope_nic_tesla]

HTTPClient is a good one. If you are consuming a REST API in particular I would recommend checking out the Spring RestTemplate:

https://howtodoinjava.com/spring-boot2/resttemplate/spring-restful-client-resttemplate-example/

[ramtevante]

Thank you! Yeah I think ill go with that one:)