Recognize and interpret essential integration concepts and terminology20% of the exam

API implementation, proxy, interface, client and invocation

The Anypoint Platform glossary terms for the parts of an API: the interface or specification (the contract), the implementation that realizes it, the instance, the proxy that applies policies in front of a backend, and the client application that invokes the API with its own credentials.

Official exam objective
Define and correctly use the terms API implementation, API proxy, API interface, API client/consumer, and API invocation.

~6 min read · 4 practice questions ·

What the exam expects

  • Name each part of an API in a scenario: interface (specification), implementation, instance, proxy, client and invocation.
  • Explain what an API proxy does in front of a backend and when MuleSoft recommends one.
  • Identify which party holds client credentials when a Client ID Enforcement policy protects an API.
  • Avoid calling the first component that receives a call, or the code that defines endpoints, the wrong name.

Key terms:

  • API interface: the specification, the human- and machine-readable contract for the API.
  • API implementation: a realization of the API specification that makes the API functional.
  • API proxy: an intermediary between client applications and the backend that applies policies.
  • API client (consumer): the application that calls the API.
  • API invocation: one call a client makes to the API (Exam convention: the glossary does not define it separately).

Key facts

API implementation
Detail
A realization of the API specification that makes the API functional
API specification
Detail
A contract that people and software can read
API instance
Detail
Instantiation of the implementation; several per API across environments and gateways
API proxy former name
Detail
API Gateway
Proxy backend
Detail
Any location or language, including non-Mule
Failed policy at the proxy
Detail
Error response; the request does not reach the backend
Strict validation
Detail
Accepts only requests, parameters and headers defined in the specification
Who holds client ID and secret
Detail
The registered client application with an approved contract
Sources for this section (3)
  • When does MuleSoft suggest a proxy even though you already have a Mule application?
  • Why can one API have several API instances?
  • What does "API" mean in API Designer, according to the glossary?
  • When does a request through the proxy never reach the backend?

The questions are free to read. Answers with their sources and self-grading are included with the pack.

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