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Glide API Essential Guide

Aug 15, 20246 minute read

What type of API does Glide provide?

Based on the search results, Glide offers two main types of APIs:

  1. Call API
  2. Glide API

The search results do not explicitly state whether these APIs use REST, GraphQL, SOAP or another architectural style. However, some clues point to the Glide API likely being REST-like:

  • It uses standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE for operations.
  • It has endpoints for accessing resources.
  • It returns data in JSON format, which is common for REST APIs.

The search results also mention that REST is the most popular API architecture for transferring data over the internet. Given Glide's focus on simplicity and modern web technologies, it's likely their APIs follow REST principles to some degree.

However, without explicit confirmation from Glide's documentation, the exact architectural style of their APIs is not certain. The APIs seem to be designed for ease of use and integration rather than strictly adhering to a particular style.

Does the Glide API have webhooks?

Glide does offer webhook functionality, but it appears to be primarily through custom actions and integrations rather than a dedicated API webhook system. Webhook actions can be configured in Glide to trigger when certain events occur, such as job creation, removal of a job from the job pool, specific progress buttons being pressed, and changes in client status.

Webhooks can be set up in two main ways: via workflow actions in the Workflow Editor and through the "Configure Webhook Triggers" page in the Config menu. Glide allows integration with popular "Connector" applications like Make, Zapier, IFTTT, and Microsoft Power Automate to create and host webhook targets.

Webhook actions can be used to instantly share Glide data with other applications, such as creating a bill in QuickBooks when one is created in Glide, or publishing a message to Slack or MS Teams when a job progresses. Only superusers can configure webhook triggers in Glide, and the "Configure Webhook Triggers" page allows users to add multiple Webhook URLs for various Glide events. Users can view how many times information has been published to each webhook, see the exact data sent, and manage (including delete) the triggers.

Rate Limits and other limitations

Based on the search results provided, here are the key points about the API rate limits for the Glide API:

API Mutation Limits

  • The hard limit on the number of mutations that can be sent in a single API call is 500 [1].
  • However, it's recommended to send batch sizes of no more than 100 mutations at a time [1].
  • For regular Glide Tables, updates are typically reflected within about 5 seconds [1].

Row Limits

  • There is a 25,000 row limit mentioned, though the context is not entirely clear [1].

Response Format

  • When adding rows via the API, the response should include an array of RowIDs [1].
  • The RowIDs in the response array correspond to the mutations in the order they were sent, even if the actual rows are not added sequentially in the table [1].

Best Practices

  • It's recommended to check the API response carefully, as failures in individual mutations may not always be immediately obvious [1].
  • For Big Tables, you may need to reload the table to see new rows added via the API [1].

Key Considerations

  • The number of columns in a row does not seem to affect the mutation limit [1].
  • When encountering issues with rows not being added, it's important to check for any errors in the mutations that could cause failures [1].

It's worth noting that the search results do not provide comprehensive information about all aspects of Glide's API rate limits. For the most up-to-date and detailed information, it would be best to consult Glide's official API documentation or contact their support directly.

Latest API Version

Based on the search results provided, the most recent version of the Glide API is:

Glide 5.0.0-rc01

The key points to consider are:

  • Glide 5.0.0-rc01 was released on September 26, 2023 [1].

  • This is a release candidate for version 5.0.0, indicating it's the latest major version in development.

  • The previous stable release was Glide 4.16.0, released on August 21, 2023 [1].

  • Glide 5.0 contains no major changes from Glide 4.16 except that it now compiles against Java 8 and Kotlin 1.8 [1].

It's worth noting that while 5.0.0-rc01 is the latest version, it is a release candidate and not a final stable release. For production use, the most recent stable version would be 4.16.0.

Additional Context

  • Glide is an image loading and caching library for Android focused on smooth scrolling [2].

  • It was originally developed by 3dfx Interactive as a proprietary API for their 3D graphics accelerator cards in the late 1990s [2].

  • The modern Glide library for Android image loading is unrelated to the original 3dfx Glide API, despite sharing the same name.

How to get a Glide developer account and API Keys?

To get a developer account for Glide to create an API integration, here are the key steps:

1. Sign up for a Glide account

  • Go to the Glide website (www.glideapps.com) and sign up for an account if you don't already have one.

2. Choose a paid plan

  • While Glide offers a free tier, API access is only available on paid plans. You'll need to upgrade to at least the Pro plan to get API functionality.

3. Get your API key

Once you have a paid account:

  1. Sign in to your Glide account
  2. Select one of your projects
  3. Click on the "Data" tab
  4. Right-click on one of your tables on the left
  5. Go to "Show API"
  6. Click "Copy Secret Token" in the popup to get your API key

4. Set up API access

  • With your API key, you can now set up integrations using tools like Make (formerly Integromat), Zapier, or by directly calling the Glide API.

What can you do with the Glide API?

Based on the search results provided, there is no specific information about data models that can be interacted with using the Glide API. However, I can provide some general information about Glide and its API capabilities:

Glide Overview

  • Glide is a platform that allows users to create feature-rich, mobile-friendly apps directly from data sources like Google Sheets or Excel.

  • The Glide API enables developers to automate tasks, sync data in real-time, and dynamically control Glide apps.

API Capabilities

While specific data models are not mentioned, the Glide API appears to offer the following capabilities:

  • Querying Tables: The API allows querying tables within Glide apps.
  • Data Synchronization: It's possible to sync data between Glide and other sources, such as Google Sheets.
  • User Management: The API can be used to manage user data and trigger actions based on user interactions.
  • Payment Processing: Integration with payment platforms like Stripe is possible through the API.

API Authentication

  • Glide uses API keys for authentication.
  • When connecting a Glide account to a platform like Pipedream, the API keys are securely stored for easy authentication in both code and no-code steps.

Best Practices

  • Use the Glide API in combination with other apps and services to enhance functionality.
  • Implement workflows to automate processes between Glide and other platforms.
  • Ensure proper authentication and secure handling of API keys when interacting with the Glide API.

While this information doesn't provide a specific list of data models, it gives an overview of the types of interactions possible with the Glide API. For more detailed information about specific data models, it would be best to consult the official Glide API documentation.