API Introduction & Key Concepts

Welcome to the introductory guide to the Documint API! The API is an integral part of our platform, allowing developers and tech-savvy users to harness the full power of Documint, integrating it into their applications or automating various tasks. In this section, we'll familiarize you with the core concepts and functionalities of the Documint API.

What is an API?

An API (Application Programming Interface) acts as an intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other. In the case of Documint, our API lets developers interact programmatically with the platform, enabling them to create, read, update, and delete documents, manage user permissions, access version histories, and much more, all without using the web app's interface.

Documint API Overview

The Documint API is a RESTful API, which means it adheres to the conventions of Representational State Transfer. It uses standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and returns data in JSON format.

Core functionalities include:

• Document Management: Create, read, update, and delete documents.

• User Management: Add, update, or remove users and manage their permissions.

• Versioning: Access previous versions of documents and manage version histories.

• Annotations: Add or remove annotations programmatically.

• Search: Search through your documents based on specific criteria.

Basic API Call Structure

To interact with the Documint API, you'll be making HTTP requests to specific URLs (endpoints) and receive responses in return.

Here's a simple example of creating a new document:

In this example, you're using the requests module in Python to send a POST request to the /documents endpoint, creating a new document.

Key Concepts

• Authentication: Before you can make requests to the API, you need to authenticate, usually via an API token. This ensures that only authorized users can access the API.

• Endpoints: Specific URLs you send requests to, determining the functionality you're trying to access. For example, the /documents endpoint is used for managing documents.

• HTTP Methods: The type of request you're making. Common methods include GET (retrieve data), POST (create data), PUT (update data), and DELETE (delete data).

• Rate Limiting: To ensure the stability of our platform, there's a limit to how many requests you can make in a given time frame. It's crucial to be aware of these limits to avoid disruptions.

Thank you for diving into the world of the Documint API. As you move forward, you'll delve deeper into authentication, specific endpoints, best practices, and more. Remember, the API is a powerful tool that, when used correctly, can significantly boost your productivity and allow for advanced integrations and automations. Happy coding!