Create REST API

Amazon API Gateway

Amazon API Gateway is a serverless service that allows you to create and manage RESTful or WebSocket APIs. It acts as a gateway between the frontend (React/Vite) and backend (Lambda functions), handling HTTP requests and forwarding them to AWS services.

API Gateway in the Workshop

In this section, we will:

  • Create a REST API to handle HTTP requests.

  • Create a /posts resource to support endpoints for posts.

  • Ensure the API integrates with the Lambda functions (getPosts, createPost) in the next step.

Why choose API Gateway:

  • Serverless: No need to manage servers, automatically scales with traffic.

  • Easy integration: Connects directly to Lambda and supports HTTP requests.

  • Low cost: Free Tier offers 1 million free requests per month.

Create REST API

  1. Go to AWS Management Console.

  • Find and select API Gateway.

  • Select APIs in the navigation menu.

api-gateway-interface.png

  1. In the APIs interface:

  • Select Create API.

  • Select REST API and click Build.

create-api.png

  1. In the Create API interface:
  • API name: Enter BlogAPI.
  • Endpoint Type: Select Regional.
  • Click Create API.

configure-api.png

  1. Create resource /posts:
  • In Resources, select Actions → Create Resource.
  • Resource Name: Enter posts.
  • Resource Path: /posts.
  • Turn on Enable API Gateway CORS (so the frontend can access it).
  • Click Create Resource.

create-resource.png

Make sure CORS is enabled so that the React/Vite frontend can make requests to the API. Save the API name (BlogAPI) and resource (/posts) for use in the next step.

Done

  • You have created a REST API and a /posts resource, ready to configure the GET/POST method.