Description: Rate limiting is the mechanism that applies defined rate limits to API requests. This process is fundamental for managing data traffic and ensuring that server resources are not overwhelmed by an excessive number of requests in a short period of time. Rate limiting allows developers to set a maximum number of requests that a user or application can make within a specific time interval, such as 100 requests per hour. This not only protects server infrastructure but also enhances user experience by preventing long wait times and service outages. Additionally, rate limiting can help prevent abuse and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, where an attacker attempts to flood a server with requests to make it inoperable. Rate limiting implementations can be simple, like a counter that resets after a period, or more complex, using algorithms that consider factors such as user behavior and request types. In summary, rate limiting is an essential tool in API management, ensuring fair and efficient use of available resources.
