What are the best practices for API polling?

What are the best practices for API polling?

When polling an API, it's important to minimize server load and optimize response times. Here are some best practices: 1. Use exponential backoff for retries. 2. Set appropriate polling intervals. 3. Implement conditional requests to reduce data transfer. 4. Monitor API rate limits.

Can you explain exponential backoff?

Exponential backoff is a strategy for increasing the wait time between retries after a failed request. For example, if the first attempt fails, you might wait 1 second before retrying, then 2 seconds, then 4 seconds, and so on. This helps to reduce the load on the server.

What are conditional requests?

Conditional requests allow the client to make requests that only return data if it has changed since the last request. This is done using headers like 'If-None-Match' or 'If-Modified-Since', which can significantly reduce unnecessary data transfer.

How can I monitor API rate limits?

You can monitor API rate limits by checking the response headers provided by the API, which often include information about your current usage and limits. Additionally, implementing logging in your application can help track how often you hit the limits.