Company
Date Published
Author
Lorna Mitchell
Word count
615
Language
-
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Modern applications require capabilities beyond the traditional HTTP request/response model, and webhooks have become an essential feature to meet these needs. Unlike standard API endpoints, webhooks only define the response part, triggered by events rather than incoming requests, making them more efficient for data exchange compared to polling. Common uses of webhooks include notification systems, long-running processes, and system integrations, such as GitHub's webhooks for continuous integration. OpenAPI version 3.1.0 introduced support for webhooks, allowing them to be documented as first-class elements, which helps developers understand and implement them efficiently. This advancement in OpenAPI tooling reflects the evolving needs of APIs, providing robust support for webhooks and enabling seamless integration across various platforms, ultimately enhancing the developer experience and fostering more dynamic and responsive applications.