How to develop an API with PHP, JSON, and POSTMAN in 9 Steps

Introduction

Do you want to develop an API with PHP, JSON, and POSTMAN?

Or are you simply looking for a way to build API for your Android App or IOS app?

Look no further!

In this tutorial, I will show you how to do just that!

We'll go over the basics of each technology, we are using. Then dive into how to use them together to create API for your need. By the end of this tutorial, you'll be able to create your API with PHP and JSON.

Before diving in, might I recommend a fantastic free editor that I love to use?

What is an API?

So you want to build API or maybe multiple APIs?

First, let's understand what is an API and why we rely on them in modern web app development.

The official definition you will find is: API stands for Application Programming Interface.

What does that mean?

In simple words, without techy jargon, an is a piece of code you write, that allows two different pieces of software to communicate with each other.

API is just a way to allow two different software to connect.

Why use API though? Simple. Have you ever used an android app where you are fetching and sending data most likely you have. Then you have already used an API.

Yeah! API is everywhere on the internet!

With an API you connect databases like MySQL or (or any other) to any frontend interface as an Android app or Web app. And foremost, APIs can be incredibly fast and easy to use.

So you understand the basics of API and how it works behind the scene. Let's jump into the technology we are going to use in our API build.

Why should you develop an API with PHP?

While there are many languages & frameworks for creating APIs, we are going to use PHP for this purpose.

But why?

Let me answer the question in detail:

PHP-based APIs are extremely easy to deploy. You don't need to host the API on a separate physical server like Java or C. Which reduces overall cost.

Despite being free, PHP is very powerful and you can use it to create very complex APIs.

Even if you haven't ever coded a programming language, PHP is easier to understand and learn. Remember HTML and CSS are structuring/styling languages, not programming ones.

So now you know why I chose PHP as the backbone of my API. Let's look at other technology and tool we need to build API.

What is JSON?

If you ever worked with App Developer, as I have, you will love how much they appreciate the JSON.

Why?

I know I am very fond of why question. But it's vital to understand the reason behind why JSON dominates the API building market. Let me explain:

JSON, as you must know, stands for JavaScript Object Notation.

JSON is not JavaScript. Please be careful not to confuse them.

Yes, it looks similar to JavaScript objects but that's because JSON shares a common codebase with ECMAScript, C++, and even C. But JSON is an independent and complete language in itself.