[WORKSHOP] Unlocking the Power of APIs

#geeks_league #workshop #CSJU #CS #TTU #STEM #skills #ieee_cs_ju #university_of_jordan

Purpose of the Workshop

The API Online Workshop, a collaborative initiative between IEEE CS chapters at the University of Jordan (JU) and Tafila Technical University (TTU), was designed to enhance participants' understanding of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). The primary goal was to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications, demonstrating how APIs facilitate seamless communication between software applications. The workshop targeted students aiming to improve their technical proficiency in API development and implementation.

Key Activities and Discussion

1. Speaker Presentation:
   The session was led by Zaid Aljundi, who provided an overview of APIs, their types, and their practical applications. He elaborated on key concepts such as the distinction between APIs and web applications, and the differences between SOAP and REST protocols.

   • SOAP: Explained as XML-based communication for web applications.
   • REST: Highlighted for its stateless nature and HTTP-based operations (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).

2. Live Coding Demonstration:

   • Zaid Aljundi shared his screen to demonstrate API creation and integration using Java.
   • He showcased how different API structures operate and visualized their functionality on the web. This hands-on demonstration allowed attendees to observe API behavior in real time and understand its practical implementation in software development.

3. Interactive Q&A Session:

   • Attendees actively participated in a dedicated Q&A session.
   • Questions covered a variety of topics, including troubleshooting common API errors, the difference between various HTTP status codes (e.g., 200, 404, 500), and the future trends in API development.

Outcomes

• Increased Understanding: Participants left with a stronger grasp of API concepts and their applications in software development.
• Practical Insights: The live coding session provided practical exposure to API design and integration, enhancing participants’ technical confidence.
• Engaged Learning: The interactive Q&A session fostered active engagement, allowing attendees to clarify their doubts and explore advanced topics.
• Future Collaboration: The success of the workshop highlighted the potential for more joint events between IEEE CS JU and TTU, encouraging knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities among members.