HTTP REST Request Triggers : Webhooks
Real Time real responsibility : What are Webhooks and how do I set them up?
What are Webhooks?
Imagine your favourite Newsstand sells your favourite magazine. You visits the store every morning en route to work to check if the latest release is on the shelf. But the magazine has a arbitrary release date. Tired of being dissapointed all the time, you decided to make a deal with the newsstand owner. Whenever the latest release is made available, you'd willing to pay extra to have them deliver it by your doorstep.
So you gave the owner your home address, signed a contract, and never have to wait anxiously for the latest release again.
Introducing Webhooks.
Webhooks is the internet term for subscribing to an application's API and listening for event notifications. And when it does happens, It will send the data right to your "doorstep", and you will be able to access the latest data as soon as possible. The protocol for webhooks is fairly simple :
1. Post a Webhook Request
post a request for subscription to an API Endpoint that manages webhooks. The request will need to include the following :
- An address for applications to return data to
- The URL Endpoint to send the request to
- Credentials to access the application
2. Keep Webhook recipe running
Once the request has been accepted, the link, which acts as the home address, will need to stay put to receive any incoming data delivered via Webhooks. This way, your computer will be able to be on standby to accept any incoming data that will be coming.
Here are some of the applications with their API with Webhooks support
Webhook is a simple, quick and reliable way to receive your data in real time. Here are some community sample recipes that are using Workato's webhook actions for their daily uses :