midAPI Design
What is Rate Limiting and why is it necessary?
Updated Apr 28, 2026
Short answer
Restricting the number of requests a user can make in a given timeframe to prevent abuse and ensure availability.
Deep explanation
Intermediate API design involves handling complexity and security. Restricting the number of requests a user can make in a given timeframe to prevent abuse and ensure availability.
Real-world example
GitHub API using cursors for navigating large lists of commits.
Common mistakes
- Not versioning the API from day one, leading to breaking changes.
Follow-up questions
- Is PUT idempotent?
- Is POST idempotent?