How are APIs integrated into OutSystems mobile applications?

APIs are integrated into OutSystems mobile applications primarily through REST or SOAP endpoints. This integration allows mobile apps to communicate with server-side services, retrieving or sending data in a structured format that the application can process. Both REST and SOAP are widely accepted protocols for web services, with REST being more commonly used due to its lightweight nature and ease of integration, especially in mobile environments.

In the context of OutSystems, integrating APIs via REST or SOAP endpoints enables developers to leverage existing web services or create new ones, facilitating interactions with different systems, databases, or third-party services. This approach is critical for enabling functionalities like user authentication, data retrieval, and updating records, effectively enhancing the app's capabilities.

While HTTP requests are indeed foundational for how the communication occurs, they are not specific enough to encapsulate the full nature of interacting with web APIs in the OutSystems mobile framework. Direct database connections may present security and scalability issues, especially in mobile applications where maintaining server-side logic is essential. WebSocket connections offer a different communication paradigm, typically used for real-time data transfer, which might not be necessary for all API integrations.