What is the difference between idempotent and non-idempotent operations?

What is the difference between idempotent and non-idempotent operations?

Idempotent operations can be applied multiple times without changing the result beyond the initial application. Non-idempotent operations, however, can produce different results when applied multiple times.

Can you give me examples of each?

Sure! An example of an idempotent operation is setting a user's email address. No matter how many times you set it to the same value, the result remains the same. A non-idempotent operation example is adding an item to a shopping cart; each addition changes the cart's state.

Why is idempotency important in APIs?

Idempotency is crucial in APIs to ensure that repeated requests do not lead to unintended side effects, making systems more reliable.

How can I implement idempotent operations in my application?

You can implement idempotent operations by using unique identifiers for requests, ensuring that repeated requests with the same identifier yield the same outcome.