When developers build applications, they need to think about how they will connect their products to data sources. Direct database access vs. REST APIs: which should you pick? Both currently stand out as two of the most popular options. Let’s explore the pros and cons of each so you can determine whether API-led connectivity serves your needs.
Direct database access lets client applications connect directly with databases and request information. For example, people using mobile apps designed to provide driving directions might ask for instructions to reach a specific destination. The app would send the query to a database, which would return real-time driving directions to the user.
Most of the work takes place in the backend, so users never see the underlying processes that deliver information to their apps. It’s a relatively straightforward approach to client-server connections that can produce results quickly.
Direct database access operates on a straightforward principle. When a client application needs to retrieve or modify data from a database, it establishes a direct connection to the database server. The application sends SQL queries or commands directly to the database, and the database server processes these requests and returns the requested information or performs the desired operations. This approach simplifies the communication process, as there are no intermediary components involved in translating or handling the requests.
Direct database access offers simplicity and direct control, making it suitable for specific scenarios:
While direct database access has its advantages, it may not be the best choice for scenarios involving complex data interactions, security concerns, or the need to work with multiple data sources simultaneously.
REST APIs, short for Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interfaces, serve as a crucial link between client applications and databases. They facilitate data retrieval and interaction between software systems, acting as intermediaries that help fetch, update, or manipulate information stored in databases.
REST APIs function by employing a set of principles and conventions that define how requests and responses should be structured. They rely on the HTTP protocol for communication, utilizing standard HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. When a client application sends a request to a REST API, it specifies the desired action (retrieve data, add data, modify data, or delete data) and the target resource. The API processes the request, communicates with the relevant database(s) or services, and returns the requested information in a structured format, often using JSON or XML.
REST APIs offer a wide array of benefits, including versatility, as developers can create endpoints for various connection types, interoperability with multiple programming languages, robust security with features like OAuth, reusability for front-end efficiency, flexibility to handle various data formats, load balancing capabilities, a uniform interface for consistent user experiences, scalability for adapting to usage changes, seamless integration with business intelligence tools, and robust security measures to restrict access to authorized users.
Direct database access and REST APIs share fundamental similarities in their roles within application connectivity. Both methods serve as conduits for data retrieval and manipulation, allowing applications to access and interact with databases. They rely on standard communication protocols, such as HTTP for REST APIs and JDBC or ODBC for direct database access, ensuring smooth data exchange between clients and servers.
Developers can customize queries or requests to suit their unique requirements, and scalability considerations are crucial for both approaches. Despite their differences, these similarities highlight their shared goal of enabling efficient data access and manipulation within applications. The choice between them depends on the specific needs and context of the application.
Direct database access and REST APIs differ significantly in their approach to application connectivity. Direct database access involves a direct connection between the application and the database, offering simplicity and control over queries but requiring more manual security management.
In contrast, REST APIs introduce an abstraction layer, enhancing security and flexibility but potentially adding complexity. REST APIs excel in scenarios involving multiple databases or where security, scalability, interoperability, and separation of concerns are crucial. On the other hand, direct database access suits simpler applications and controlled environments, making it accessible to developers with database expertise but lacking some of the advantages of REST APIs.
Like any technology, relying on REST API connectivity to databases has its pros and cons.
Some of the most noteworthy advantages of using APIs include:
It’s important to note that the benefits of API access could depend on the types of REST API protocols you have. Open APIs, partner APIs, and private APIs can give you different levels of access to databases. They can also charge different prices, which will ultimately play an important role in how you serve users and generate revenues.
Furthermore, not all APIs fall under the REST umbrella. If you don’t currently rely on REST architecture, you might use:
If you want to use more REST APIs, you can utilize DreamFactory to convert SOAP into REST. Otherwise, your team members can expect to face a fairly steep learning curve.
Server-side scripting can offer several benefits, especially when you want to add business logic to your APIs, create custom logic, call multiple APIs, and use more scripting engines.
On the other hand, server-side scripting can put a lot of stress on the server. If you don’t set the right data exchange limitations, API queries could slow processes and harm user experiences.
Secondarily, HTTP requests and HTTPS requests from web APIs can include a lot of information databases don’t consider necessary. Depending on the number and sizes of requests at a given moment, databases might fail to respond to queries.
Given the numerous reasons to use REST APIs, there are instances when it makes sense to give apps direct database access. The challenges, however, can quickly outweigh the benefits.
It’s very simple to connect an app directly to a database — as long as your application has authorization to query the database, of course. It’s relatively easy to create URLs that target a specific database, issue requests, and receive return information.
More likely than not, you would apply this approach to use cases when you want to build prototypes. You could also distribute them to authorized users within your organization. You probably would not want the public to access the app, though, because doing so would give them nearly unrestricted access to the data set the app relies on.
Developers and stakeholders might balk at the idea of giving apps direct database access because experts have discovered so many potential disadvantages. Some of those disadvantages include:
While you might want to use direct database access within a controlled environment, the benefits quickly wear thin when you distribute your apps more widely.
If you want to build an app prototype before committing to a larger build, feel free to connect it directly to your database. As long as the application remains within your control and you don’t need to query multiple databases, this approach will probably work well for you.
The situation changes quickly once you move beyond the prototype stage or ask people outside of your team to test your product. At this point, you want to optimize your app and data retrieval as much as possible while adding robust security measures that block unauthorized users from accessing the database.
The following scenarios don’t necessarily require REST APIs, but they do need technologies that work better than direct database access:
A REST API isn’t the only way to connect data sources and microservices, although it is one of the easiest and most popular methods for doing so. Some alternatives to REST APIs include:
Note that while these alternatives could suit your needs, few people have much experience with them. GraphQL is probably the most widespread of these technologies. But even it has a tiny number of users compared to REST API.
Engineers typically say it’s easier to connect applications directly to databases. That’s true for professionals who have years of experience building digital products. In today’s business environment, though, not everyone who needs to connect services and data has a tech background.
Imagine that someone in your marketing department wants to create a tool that pulls data from your CRM, e-commerce platforms, and a few other sources. That person knows how to use marketing data to make informed decisions. They probably don’t know how to code an application, connect a database to an app, or create an API.
With low-code and no-code API platforms, professionals don’t need high-level coding skills. Instead, they can automatically create REST APIs, combine databases as needed, rely on fast server-side scripting, set API limits, and deploy applications.
DreamFactory gives your team members a low-code platform that makes it easy to generate and connect enterprise data sources via APIs. Now members of diverse teams within your organization can take advantage of API technology without significant training.
Start your free 14-day trial to help you determine whether it makes sense for your organization to use DreamFactory’s API platform so you can benefit from REST API connections without learning how to code.
Direct Database Access allows an application to connect directly to a database to retrieve or modify data using SQL queries. It’s a simple, straightforward method where the application communicates directly with the database server without an intermediary.
Direct Database Access is best suited for simple applications, internal tools, or prototypes where ease of implementation is key, and security or scalability concerns are minimal. It’s also effective in controlled environments with trusted users.
Direct access can expose your database to security risks, as it lacks layers of abstraction and security mechanisms. Managing multiple databases and ensuring scalability can also become challenging without more advanced control mechanisms, making it unsuitable for complex or public-facing applications.
A REST API (Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface) is an intermediary that allows applications to interact with databases or other services using standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. It abstracts direct access to the database and provides more control, security, and flexibility in handling requests.
REST APIs provide better security, scalability, and flexibility. They can handle multiple data sources, support various data formats (JSON, XML), and allow fine-grained access control, making them ideal for complex, scalable, and secure applications.
REST APIs should be used in scenarios where security, scalability, and interoperability with other systems are important. This includes public-facing applications, multi-user environments, and when connecting to multiple databases or external services.