Web & APIsIntermediate
API Gateway
PronunciationAY-PEE GAYT-way
Definition
An API Gateway is a server that acts as a single entry point for a system, routing incoming requests to the appropriate microservices. It handles cross-cutting concerns like authentication, rate limiting, and logging before forwarding the request.
Where you hear it
In system architecture meetings, backend infrastructure discussions, and when designing microservices.
Examples
We need to configure the API Gateway to route traffic to the new user service.
The API Gateway handles all authentication checks so our microservices don't have to.
Common mistake
Confusing an API Gateway with a Load Balancer; while a Load Balancer distributes traffic to identical instances, an API Gateway routes requests to different services based on logic or path.