API In Azure Cosmos DB

Azure Cosmos DB, a multi-model database service provided globally by Microsoft, allows users to increase the storage and throughput across multiple locations elastically and autonomously. Azure Cosmos DB provides native support for several data formats, including document, key-value, graph, and columnar, as well as turnkey global dissemination, elastic scaling of throughput and storage globally, single-digit millisecond latencies at the 99th percentile, and these features. Developers can create apps using the Azure Cosmos DB API, a collection of open-source APIs. Developers can store and access data in Azure Cosmos DB quickly and effectively thanks to the APIs’ comprehensive set of features. In Additionally, they offer a collection of tools for managing, maintaining, and debugging applications created with Azure Cosmos DB. There are APIs accessible for C#, Java, JavaScript, Node.js, Python, and Go in addition to other languages.

What Is Azure Cosmos DB? 

Microsoft Azure provides Cosmos DB as a fully managed database service that is served worldwide. It was developed to provide smooth and effective access to data and storage for applications requiring high throughput at low latency. Cosmos DB facilitates a flexible option for a variety of applications supporting a wide range of data formats such as document, key-value, graph, and wide-column stores. Because of its agile scalability, and extensive distribution with multi-regions, it ensures reliable performance and resilience in the development of applications.

Important Factors For Selecting A Right Azure Cosmos DB API

When choosing an API for Azure Cosmos DB, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind:

1. Data Model: It’s crucial to select the Azure Cosmos DB API that most closely matches the data you’ll be dealing with because each API is built to operate with a particular data model. For instance, using the SQL API or MongoDB API when dealing with document-based data would be a wise decision.
2. Query Language: Various query languages are supported by various Azure Cosmos Database APIs. For instance, both the SQL API and the MongoDB API allow query languages that are similar to SQL. Choose an API that is compatible with the query language you are most accustomed to using. 
3. Programming Language: For certain programming languages, some Azure Cosmos DB APIs have official SDKs, while others have community-supported libraries. Pick an API that supports the programming language you’re using with official SDKs or community-supported libraries. 
4. Scale and Performance: All of the Azure Cosmos Database APIs are built to support low latency, worldwide distribution, and intelligent scaling. Yet, some workloads are better suited for particular APIs. For instance, the Gremlin API is tuned for graph traversal, whereas the Table API is optimized for high-throughput, low-latency applications. 
5. Security and Compliance: Make careful to select an API that has the security and compliance capabilities you require. 

APIs In Azure Comos DB

Azure Cosmos DB provides five distinct APIs to handle various data models. They are as follows:

• Core API ( or ) SQL API: It is designed for document-based data models, it provides features like SQL-like queries for better adaptability and effective retrieval of data.
• MongoDB API: These Mongo DB APIs ensure a seamless migration of MongoDB applications to Cosmos DB maintaining interconnection with current MongoDB tools and Code.
• Cassandra API: Cassandra APIs support a wide-column storage model. It facilitates the developers in working with Apache Cassandra a similar interface.
• Gremlin API: Gremlin APIs help in the creation and traversal of graph-based data models. It is suitable for applications with complex and interconnected relationships.
• Table API: Table APIs are specially designed for key-value data models. It offers simplifying migration of applications from Azure Table Storage to Cosmos DB offering enhanced scalability and global distribution.

API for NoSQL

The SQL API, which is the API for Azure CosmosDB, offers a mechanism to access and manage data stored in the Service with well-known SQL queries. It makes it possible for developers to quickly query, modify, and utilize data stored in the service for creating apps. The popular open-source database system, MySQL, is compatible with the most recent version of the SQL API. The SQL API also supports well-known query languages like LINQ, SQL, and Gremlin. The Graph API, DocumentDB API, and Table API are some of the other Azure CosmosDB APIs that may be utilized in conjunction with the SQL API. 

API for MongoDB

The MongoDB driver and MongoDB command-line tools can be used to interact with your Azure Cosmos DB data when you utilize the MongoDB API. This enables developers who are already familiar with MongoDB to switch smoothly. Moreover, Azure Cosmos DB has built-in security features like Azure Active directory-based authentication and access control, automatic data distribution, and worldwide low-latency access.

With Azure Cosmos DB’s SDK for MongoDB, which is available for several languages including Java, Python,.NET, etc., you may use the MongoDB API with Azure Cosmos DB. Moreover, it supports the MongoDB Compass and MongoDB Shell for using the MongoDB API to communicate with the Cosmos Database.  It makes it possible for programs created with MongoDB drivers, like the well-known Mongoose framework, to communicate with data kept in Cosmos DB.

All MongoDB protocol operations are supported by the API, including: 

• Insert, update, and delete documents
• Query documents by filtering, sorting, and paginating
• Aggregate documents using the aggregation pipeline
• Create, update, and delete databases, collections, and indexes
• Execute stored procedures and user-defined functions
• Use transactions to enforce consistency across multiple operations
• Stream changes to documents using change streams
• Monitor query and index performance using the MongoDB profiler
• Configure encryption at rest.
• Replicate data across regions for high availability and disaster recovery.

API For PostgreSQL

For data kept in an Azure Cosmos DB database, PostgreSQL APIs are supported by Azure Cosmos DB. Using the well-known PostgreSQL syntax, developers may create apps that access and edit data kept in Azure Cosmos DB using the PostgreSQL API. All of the PostgreSQL API’s features, such as the ability to define indexes, run functions, and write stored procedures, are fully supported.

The PostGIS extension is also supported by the PostgreSQL API, allowing for the execution of sophisticated geographical queries. You can interact with your data using your current PostgreSQL clients, libraries, and tools because this service utilizes the PostgreSQL engine and supports the PostgreSQL wire protocol.  Moreover, you can use Azure Data Factory or Azure Stream Analytics to transfer data from Azure Cosmos DB and Azure Database for PostgreSQL, respectively, and then store it in the PostgreSQL database. 

API For Apache Cassandra

The Apache Cassandra Cassandra API is made available via Azure Cosmos Database. It is a fully managed cloud service that works with the CQL 3.11 API for Cassandra. The Cassandra API in Cosmos Database offers complete support for secondary indexes in addition to broad and recognizable schema flexibility. It is intended to maintain the robust Cassandra Query Language (CQL) features while providing improved performance, scalability, and availability. Together with a host of other features, the Cassandra API in Azure Cosmos DB provides automatic data distribution across different regions, intelligent indexing, and automatic infrastructure adjustment.  Users can quickly create and deploy applications that demand the scalability, availability, and performance of the Cassandra database using the Cassandra API. 

API For Apache Gremlin

The Apache Gremlin API is supported by Azure Cosmos Database. Using the Gremlin query language, you can interact with the graph data kept in Azure Cosmos DB using the Gremlin API. This API was created for graph data and enables both complicated graph queries and graph traversals. You can interact with your Cosmos DB data while utilizing the Gremlin API in Azure Cosmos DB by using the Gremlin.NET or Gremlin-Java driver. Moreover, Azure Cosmos DB has built-in security features like Azure AD-based authentication and access control, automatic data distribution, and worldwide low-latency access. With Azure Cosmos DB’s SDK for Gremlin, which is available for several languages including Java, Python,.NET, etc., you may use the Gremlin API with Azure Cosmos DB.  Moreover, it supports the Gremlin Console and Gremlin Language Variants for using the Gremlin API to communicate with the Cosmos Database. 

API For Azure Table

The Table API is supported by Azure Cosmos Database. You can interact with the data kept in Azure Cosmos DB utilizing the Table storage model by using the Table API. This API enables single-item operations as well as batch operations and is intended for key-value and document data. You can interact with your Cosmos DB data when utilizing the Table API in Azure Cosmos DB by using the Azure Cosmos DB Table SDK for your chosen of programming language (such as .NET, Java, or Python). Moreover, Azure Cosmos DB has built-in security features like Azure AD-based authentication and access control, automatic data distribution, and worldwide low-latency access.  With Azure Cosmos DB’s SDK for Table, which is available for several languages including Java, Python,.NET, etc., you may use the Table API with Azure Cosmos DB. Moreover, it supports the Azure Cosmos DB Table REST API, allowing users to communicate with the Cosmos DB using the Table API. 

Azure Comos DB APIs Support For Popular Programming Languages

Azure Comos DB APIs provides a set of tools for controlling and managing and troubleshooting the apps. In addition to other languages there are APIs that available for C#, Java, Javascript, Python and Go. The following table of content list out the available APIs in various programming languages. APIs are represented by rows and respective supported languages are represented in columns. For example, SQL API is available is not accessible in PHP, Go, Rust but it is accessible in Java, .NET, Node.js , Python and Xamarin.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Azure Cosmos DB stands out itself as a flexible and globally distributed database providing a wide range of APIs to handle different types of data models. It supports the developers in providing the scalability and flexibility to their applications. Developers can easily access, query and manage their data with excellent performance and low latency on using APIs such as SQL API, MongoDB API, Cassandra API, Gremlin API or Table API. Comos DB provides a complete solution for modern application development across various scenarios and workloads with its features such as built-in security, multi-region distribution and providing support for common query languages.

Azure Comos DB API – FAQ’s

What Is API In Cosmos DB?

In cosmos DB, an API ( Application Programming Interface ) is a collection of tools and protocols for building and interacting with databases. It comes up with number of APIs, each are designed to work with a particular data model.

What Are The Difference Between Azure Cosmos DB Table API And SQL API?

Table DB API is primarily focuses on key-value and document data whereas SQL APIs has designed specifically for document-based data like SQL-like queries.

Which Is The Recommended Azure Comos DB API To Use?

Choosing of Comos DB API depends on the type of data model your are dealing with. Its is recommended to use SQL API for document data, MongoDB API for MongoDB compatibility, Cassandra API for wide-column storage, Gremlin for graph based models and Table API for key-value type of data.

Which Two Azure Cosmos DB APIs Can Developers Use For The Applications?

Developers can use various APIs based on their application’s need. The popular choices are MongoDB API for apps that are compatible with MongoDB and SQL API for document type of data.

What Is API In DB?

In database context, Application Programming Interface (API) makes it easier to communication and interaction with database. It defines methods and protocols for managing, updating and querying the data.

How To Call API In DB?

On making the HTTP calls to the API endpoints with the essential arguments invokes the APIs in a database. It depends on the specific API and programming languages.