How do I implement idempotency in APIs?

How do I implement idempotency in APIs?

Idempotency in APIs means that making the same request multiple times will have the same effect as making it once. To implement it, you can use unique identifiers for each request.

Can you give me an example of a unique identifier?

Sure! A common approach is to use a UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) for each request. This way, if the same request is sent again, the server can recognize it and avoid processing it multiple times.

What happens if I don't implement idempotency?

Without idempotency, repeated requests can lead to unintended side effects, like duplicate transactions or data corruption.

Are there any best practices for implementing idempotency?

Yes! Some best practices include using unique request IDs, storing the state of requests, and returning the same response for duplicate requests.