APIs are the backbone of modern applications, allowing different systems to communicate seamlessly. But designing efficient, scalable, and secure REST APIs requires more than just setting up routes. Here are two hands-on challenges to improve your API skills.

🌍 Challenge #1: Design an API for User Authentication

The Problem

Your application needs user authentication, but storing plain passwords is a huge security risk. Design an authentication API that securely handles user login and registration.

The Solution

  1. Create an endpoint for user registration that:

    • Stores hashed passwords using bcrypt or Argon2.
    • Returns a success message upon registration.

  2. Create a login endpoint that:

    • Validates credentials.
    • Issues a JWT token upon successful login.

💡 Bonus Challenge: Implement token expiration and refresh tokens for improved security.

📦 Challenge #2: Design a CRUD API for a Product Catalog

The Problem

E-commerce platforms need APIs to manage products dynamically. Build a REST API that supports CRUD operations for a product catalog.

The Solution

  1. Create an endpoint to add new products (POST /products)
  2. Fetch a product by ID (GET /products/{id})
  3. Update product details (PUT /products/{id})
  4. Delete a product (DELETE /products/{id})

💡 Bonus Challenge:

  • Add pagination and filtering for large datasets.
  • Implement rate limiting to prevent abuse.

Final Thoughts

REST API development is not just about exposing endpoints—it’s about designing scalable, secure, and maintainable APIs.

  • Secure user data with authentication best practices.
  • Make APIs efficient by optimizing CRUD operations.
  • Improve performance with pagination, caching, and rate limiting.

🚀 Want to test yourself with more API challenges? Start learning here 👉 Backend Challenges