What is one of the main reasons for using an API gateway?

The use of an API gateway plays a crucial role in streamlining server operations and routing requests from clients to various backend services. An API gateway acts as a single entry point for handling requests, which simplifies the interactions between clients and the microservices architecture often employed in modern applications. It can efficiently route requests to the appropriate service, aggregate responses, and manage cross-cutting concerns such as authentication and rate limiting.

In this context, the API gateway contributes to improved performance and efficient management of API calls, reducing complexity for both developers and users. By managing server operations centrally through the gateway, teams can more easily update or modify backend services without disrupting client interactions, ensuring a smoother user experience and efficient resource utilization.

While encrypting sensitive data, reducing operational costs, and increasing the number of available APIs are also important considerations in system design, they do not encapsulate the primary functional advantage that an API gateway provides. The primary focus of an API gateway is on optimizing how requests are directed and managed within a complex server ecosystem.