Description: A webhook is a method for one application to send real-time data to another application. It acts as a notification mechanism that allows systems to communicate with each other efficiently and automatically. Unlike traditional APIs, where an application must make periodic requests to obtain data, webhooks enable an application to proactively send information as soon as a specific event occurs. This reduces latency and unnecessary resource usage, as the receiving application only needs to be available to receive data when the webhook is triggered. Webhooks are particularly useful in environments where immediacy is crucial, such as in cloud service integration, workflow automation, and event orchestration. Their implementation is generally straightforward, requiring the developer to configure a destination URL where data will be sent, as well as define the events that will trigger the information sending. This feature makes them a valuable tool for system integration and creating more interactive and responsive applications.
History: Webhooks began to gain popularity in the mid-2010s, although the concept of event-based notifications dates back to the early days of the web. One of the first documented uses of webhooks is attributed to various online services, which introduced this functionality in the 2010s to allow developers to receive notifications about events in their applications. Since then, many platforms and services have adopted the use of webhooks, becoming a standard in application and cloud service integration.
Uses: Webhooks are used in a variety of applications, including cloud service integration, workflow automation, and real-time event notification. They are commonly employed in development platforms, content management systems, e-commerce platforms, and messaging applications to facilitate communication between different services.
Examples: An example of webhook usage is in software development platforms, where developers can set up a webhook to receive notifications every time a code change is pushed to a repository. Another example is in payment platforms, which use webhooks to notify merchants about transaction events, such as successful or failed payments.
