Introduction to the Assets Server API

One of the most versatile ways to customize and integrate your own applications with Assets Server is by using the Assets Server API. It comes in 2 flavors:

1. A REST API
2. A SOAP Web service

REST API

The REST API is targeted at building custom Web applications, mobile apps, and HTML interfaces that use or display assets from Assets Server. It is designed to be easy to use from AJAX and JavaScript. A range of open-source samples is available to get you started, including a JavaScript library.

Apart from HTML interfaces, the API is also very suitable for use in mobile apps for various platforms such as the iPhone, iPad and Android. It is also easy to use in Flash, Flex and AIR applications.

All the previews provided by Assets Server are based on Web standards and can be used in Web browsers or on any Web-enabled mobile device.

We advise to use the REST API in all cases. It provides more functionality compared to the SOAP API and because of its lighter JSON format, it is much faster.

SOAP API

The SOAP API in Assets Server offers less functionality than the REST API and is also less easy to use. We advise to use the REST API instead.

Note: Apart from bug fixes, the Assets Server SOAP Web Service is not being developed anymore; any new functionality is only added to the REST API. The SOAP API remains available so that existing third-party applications or integrations can stay compatible with newer versions of Assets Server.