Socket is making Webhook easier than ever!

Socket is on a mission to make webhook easier, even for the non-developers.

Before we see how Socket has simplified the operations of Webhook, we need to first get into the details of what a Webhook is and what makes it complicated.

What is Webhook?

Webhook helps in the relay and syncing of the data between different applications. Though, it might seem similar to an API but is different from the API in the way this communication happens.

While you are supposed to command each time in the case of an API, Webhooks are smarter and performs on theirown according to the event happening.

Some people also term Webhook as “callback” or “reverse API”.

#Let’s see this in a layman example

Daniel: Did you receive the shipment?
John: No
Daniel: Did you receive the shipment? (After some time)
John: No
Daniel: Did you receive the shipment? (After some time)
John: No
Daniel: Did you receive the shipment? (After some time)
John: No

#Doesn’t this look illogical repeating the same thing over?

Rather,

Daniel: Did you receive the shipment?
John: No yet, would inform when I would receive. (That’s how Webhook Works!)
Daniel: How would you notify me?
John: I would send you a text message. (That’s the address called endpoint)

Like in the above situation, the conversation is directed to the point that upon the receipt of shipment, I would inform you. In a similar way, Webhook is an option to communicate through the data when it is available. Meanwhile, the Endpoint remains the address where the user would want to receive the data.

It is necessary for a Webhook to always have an endpoint.

#Let’s discuss the pros and cons of the Webhook:

Pros of Webhook:

• It is a real-time Notification, where you receive the data as soon as it is available.
• It helps to save server resources.

Cons of Webhook:

• As there’s no fixed format in a Webhook, catching the data becomes difficult sometimes.
• Not every software supports Webhook.
• If the queuing is not handled on both the sides, then the data might be lost.

Despite the above cons, Webhook remains the future of transferring data due to its instant delivery and minimum server loss.

How does Socket make Webhook easier and less complicated?

Socket gives you a “readymade” endpoint, which you could easily configure in your favorite app and test. Here’s how Socket does so:

1. Get a unique endpoint for each Webhook.
2. Test any Event.
3. See how the data appears on the Socket in a User-friendly form.
4. You can now select the data you require.
5. If you are an advanced user, you could modify the data with JavaScript.
6. For advanced users, you could also modify the if, else or wait conditions.
7. You can either forward it to any application or configure your own API.
8. That’s how it’s done!!
9. The data would follow your new workflow as soon as it comes the next time.
10. You can also analyze all your data using Socket Analyser.

Socket makes Webhook configuration easy for you!

At Socket, we are open to adding more functionalities to make your flows more awesome. Feel free to let us know!