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Backend Challenge - Currency Converter API

Introduction

The "Currency Converter API" challenge is designed to create a REST API that converts currencies between different countries.

Objectives

  • Set up a web server capable of handling API requests.
  • Implement endpoints for converting currencies.
  • Integrate with a currency exchange rate provider (or mock exchange rates).
  • Understand HTTP methods (GET, POST) and status codes.

Instructions

  1. Objective: Develop a REST API that converts currencies from one to another using real-time or fixed exchange rates.

  2. Environment Setup: Choose your preferred programming language (e.g., JavaScript, Python, Java, C#) and set up the necessary environment.

  3. Implementation Details:

    • Define endpoints for handling currency conversion:
      • GET /convert?from={currency_code}&to={currency_code}&amount={value}: Convert a specific amount from one currency to another.
      • GET /rates: Retrieve a list of supported currencies and their current exchange rates.
      • POST /rates: (Optional) Update the exchange rates for the currencies (useful if not relying on an external API).
    • Implement logic to interact with currency data (e.g., fetch exchange rates from a third-party API or use a fixed dataset).
    • Return data as JSON in responses, including the converted amount and relevant exchange rate.

  4. Testing: Test your API using an HTTP client (e.g., Postman, curl).

    • Send requests to each endpoint (/convert and /rates) with appropriate query parameters.
    • Verify that the responses contain the expected conversion results and that status codes are appropriate (e.g., 200 OK, 400 Bad Request).

Possible Improvements

  • Authentication: Add API key authentication to secure the endpoints.
  • Caching: Implement caching for exchange rates to reduce the number of requests to the third-party provider.
  • Historical Rates: Allow users to convert currencies based on historical exchange rates.
  • Error Handling: Enhance error messages and responses for better user experience.
  • Multi-Currency Conversion: Add the ability to convert a single amount into multiple currencies in one request.

Conclusion

By completing this challenge, you will gain practical experience in developing a currency converter API and learn essential practices for backend development. Explore additional improvements and challenges to further enhance your skills.

Happy coding!