API and Web Service Introduction Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This beginner-friendly course provides a clear and concise introduction to APIs and web services, designed for learners with little to no prior knowledge. You'll gain a solid conceptual foundation through real-world examples, visual explanations, and hands-on practice using Postman. The course spans approximately 4 hours of content, structured into five core modules that cover essential API concepts, protocols, tools, and practical applications. By the end, you’ll understand how APIs power modern software and how to interact with them effectively—making this an ideal starting point before diving into API development or testing.
Module 1: API & Web Service Basics
Estimated time: 0.5 hours
- What are APIs?
- What are web services?
- Real-life examples and the need for APIs in software systems
Module 2: Types of APIs and Protocols
Estimated time: 0.75 hours
- REST vs. SOAP: comparison and use cases
- Understanding HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
- Understanding HTTP status codes
Module 3: Working with REST APIs
Estimated time: 0.75 hours
- REST architecture explained with examples
- Exploring RESTful endpoints
- How data is exchanged in REST APIs
Module 4: API Tools and Practical Demonstrations
Estimated time: 0.75 hours
- Using Postman to test APIs
- Understanding requests and responses
- Interacting with live APIs
- Analyzing API responses
Module 5: Authentication, JSON, and XML
Estimated time: 0.5 hours
- API authentication methods like API keys and tokens
- Understanding JSON format in API responses
- Understanding XML format in API responses
Module 6: Final Summary and Real-World Applications
Estimated time: 0.5 hours
- Recap of key API concepts
- When to use REST vs. SOAP
- Real-world examples of APIs in apps, websites, and systems
Prerequisites
- Basic computer literacy
- Familiarity with web browsers
- No coding experience required
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Explain what APIs and web services are and how they function
- Distinguish between REST and SOAP APIs and their use cases
- Use Postman to interact with and test live APIs
- Interpret API responses in JSON and XML formats
- Apply foundational API knowledge to backend development or testing roles