API Endpoint

The point at which an API connects with the software program, allowing communication between systems.

An API endpoint is a specific URL or URI where an API receives requests. Each endpoint corresponds to a particular resource or operation that the API exposes. For example, GET /api/users might return a list of users, while POST /api/users creates a new user.

Endpoints are the touchpoints through which external clients interact with a backend service. They are defined by a combination of the HTTP method (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.) and the path. Well-designed endpoints follow consistent naming conventions and map logically to the underlying data model.

In API gateway architectures, endpoints are the primary unit of routing configuration. The gateway maps incoming requests to the correct backend service based on the endpoint path, method, and other criteria such as headers or query parameters. This makes endpoint management central to API governance, security enforcement, and traffic control.