Data API builder replaces any custom API performing CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations against a database. DAB is cross-platform, open-source, and independent of language, technology, and frameworks. It requires zero code and a single configuration file. Best of all, it's free, with no premium tier, and can run in any cloud.
Data API builder is designed for developers. Data API builder features a cross-platform CLI, native OpenAPI, Swagger for REST endpoints, and Banana Cake Pop for GraphQL endpoints. Its stateless, Docker-friendly container can be secured with EasyAuth, Microsoft Entra Identity, or any JSON Web Token (JWT) server an enterprise chooses. It has a flexible policy engine, granular security controls, and automatically passes claims data to the SQL session context.
Data API builder (DAB) supports multiple backend data sources simultaneously, including relational and NoSQL sources. DAB also integrates seamlessly with Application Insights. The configuration file can reflect relationships in the database or define new, virtual ones. GraphQL endpoints allow multiple nested Create statements within a single transaction, while REST endpoints feature in-memory caching and support OData-like query string keywords.
DAB natively integrates with Azure Static Web Apps. DAB also works great with Azure Container Apps, Azure Container Instances, Azure Kubernetes Services, and Azure Web Apps for Containers. DAB works with these services while fully supporting custom, on-premises deployments.
DAB supports:
SQL Server
Azure SQL
Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL
PostgreSQL
Azure Database for PostgreSQL
Azure Cosmos DB for PostgreSQL
MySQL
Azure Database for MySQL
Azure SQL Data Warehouse
DAB can reduce a typical codebase by a third, eliminate suites of unit tests, shorten CI/CD pipelines, and introduce standards and advanced capabilities typically reserved for the largest development teams. It’s secure and feature-rich while remaining incredibly simple, scalable, and observable.
Architecture
This diagram breaks down the relationship between all of the components of the Data API builder.
Key Features
Support for NoSQL collections
Support for relational tables, views, and stored procedures
Support multiple, simultaneous data sources
Support for authentication via OAuth2/JWT
Support for EasyAuth and Microsoft Entra Identity
Role-based authorization using received claims
Item-level security via policy expressions
REST endpoints
POST, GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE
Filtering, sorting, and pagination
In-memory cache
Support for OpenAPI
GraphQL endpoints
Queries and mutations
Filtering, sorting and pagination
Relationship navigation
Dynamic schemas
Easy development via dedicated CLI
Integration for Static Web Apps via Database Connection
Open Source & free
Open source
Data API builder is open source and released under the MIT license. The repository is available on GitHub at azure/data-api-builder.
Learn how to create modern REST data API for Azure SQL Database. We'll delve into Data API Builder, a powerful cross-platform that simplifies the creation of endpoints for your Azure SQL Database. With features like automatic query generation, granular security controls, and seamless integration with other Azure services, the Data API Builder can effortlessly transform your database into a versatile API.
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