All-In-One Blockchain Platform ARK Announces Update to API V2
ARK announces its next update to API V2, fully RESTful and compliant to the JSON API specifications, facilitating and improving all the current processes.
Known for its revolutionary SmartBridge functionality, ARK is one of the top 20 cryptocurrencies and technologies offering promises going into 2018. Its SmartBridge functionality has allowed different blockchains to interconnect to each-other. This technology links different blockchains through a bridging method, which creates simultaneous utilization of multiple blockchain networks by simplifying the process and removing the need to trade tokens in order to use other networks.
In a recent update, ARK was focused on upgrading it’s new API (v2) making it easier for developers to extend the technology. API v2’s initial development began with ‘Restify’ as it was the most suitable choice from the Node.JS field in regards of API development.
This solution did not prove to be sufficient, and ARK decided to change it for a new API. The new alternative, ‘Hapi’, offered a more suitable framework and plugin system, allowing ARK to use every version of the API as a plugin, making whole API removal possible. This also fitted in with ARK’s intention to simplify the ease of use with the ARK Core v2. Prior to API v2, v1 did not adhere to any official standards and was not RESTful in any way.
The API v2 will be fully RESTful and follow the JSON API specifications as closely as possible. This means that when v2 kicks in, all API endpoints serving resources like blocks and transactions will act like collections. This update will enable users to easily work out how the API endpoints function without a need for constant inspection of the API documents, as the structure will be standardized.
Another issue with publicly accessible API’s is that they can be used to perform server attacks by flooding them with requests. This is currently causing far too many problems and destroying the database at the same time. The implementation of Request Throttling will attempt to help prevent this issue, as it prevents the API from being flooded. Users will be able to check the efficiency of request throttling by performing a request to an API endpoint and checking the response headers.
The caching of API calls will also assist in reducing the stress on the database, as much of the blockchain’s data is immutable. ARK leverages Catbox to provide a wide variety of drivers for popular caching solutions like Redis, Memcached or Riak. Caching is in place to stop the need for a response to having to be generated more than once, thus creating more efficiency. ARK’s new API v2 aims to boast many new features, including better data handling, providing throttling and caching right out of the box.
Eugenia can call herself a multy-interested person, as she is always in search of new proffessional fields to encompass. After graduating from Belarussian State University with Bachelor degree in both International Communication and Public Relations, she joined a travel startup Fresh Adventures, where she worked for 3 years creating unique itineraries through exotic countries, travelling around the world and developing the company as a partner. Currently, she works as a business analyst in the field of information technologies. She believes that IT is the future, that is why it is so important to keep up with the latest trends in this rapidly growing industry.
