Webhooks
A webhook is a method for an app to provide other applications with real-time information. A webhook delivers data to other applications as it happens, meaning you get data immediately. This is in contrast to typical APIs where you would need to poll for data very frequently in order to get it real-time. This makes webhooks much more efficient for both provider and consumer.
The term "webhook" is composed of "web," indicating that it is part of the World Wide Web, and "hook," which refers to the hooking up of two applications.
How a webhook works:
- Event: A webhook is triggered by an event in the source application, such as a new user registration or a product sale.
- HTTP POST Request: When the event occurs, the source application makes an HTTP POST request to a URL configured by the receiving application (the webhook URL). The POST request contains a payload in the form of a message or data associated with the event.
- Action: The receiving application, which has a listener set up at the webhook URL, processes the incoming data and takes an action predetermined by the developer. This could be anything from updating a database to sending a notification.
Webhooks are commonly used for:
- Notifications: Sending real-time alerts to other applications or services whenever certain events happen.
- Continuous Integration and Deployment: Triggering automatic build and deploy processes in response to code commits.
- Synchronization: Updating third-party services with information from the source application (e.g., syncing contact information between platforms).
- Event Responses: Executing workflows in one app in response to events in another app (e.g., a payment in a payment gateway triggering an invoice to be marked as paid in an accounting application).
Webhooks are a powerful tool for creating interconnected, automated workflows across different internet services and applications.
For further detailed information on Webhooks click here.
Trigger:
Catch raw webhook: Triggers when the webhook receives a request.