The external service will trigger the webhook


Introduction

Conversation

Dialog

Sarah: I’ve been working on the new webhook integration. It’s event-driven, so the external service will trigger the webhook when a specific action occurs.

Will: Nice! So, it sends a POST request to our endpoint?

Sarah: Exactly. The payload includes the data we need to process, and we listen for the request on a specific route.

Will: What about security? Are you using a signature to verify the request?

Sarah: Yes, the webhook sends a signature with the payload, and we validate it before processing."

Will: Sounds good. Have you handled retries in case of a timeout or error?"

Sarah: Yep, if the response isn’t 200 OK, the external service retries the request a few times.

Will: Great. Let me know if there’s any issue with the response handling.


Vocabulary

POST request

  • Definition: A type of HTTP request used to send data to a server, typically used when submitting forms or sending data in APIs.

  • Portuguese: Solicitação POST

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. The external service sends a POST request to our server when the event occurs.

    2. We received a POST request with the necessary data to update the user profile.


2. Event-driven

  • Definition: A programming paradigm where actions are triggered by specific events or changes in state.

  • Portuguese: Orientado a eventos

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. The system is event-driven, so it only acts when a specific event happens.

    2. An event-driven architecture allows for better scalability when dealing with asynchronous tasks.


3. Verify the request

  • Definition: The process of checking whether a request is legitimate, often by validating its data or signature.

  • Portuguese: Verificar a solicitação

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. Before processing the webhook, we need to verify the request to ensure its authenticity.

    2. The system automatically verifies the request to prevent unauthorized access.


4. Webhook integration

  • Definition: The process of connecting external services via webhooks, where one service automatically sends data to another based on specific events.

  • Portuguese: Integração de webhook

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. The webhook integration allows us to receive real-time updates from the external service.

    2. Setting up the webhook integration was simple; it just required configuring the endpoint.


5. Response handling

  • Definition: The process of managing the response from a server after a request is made, including checking for errors or retries.

  • Portuguese: Tratamento de resposta

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. If the response is not 200 OK, we have custom response handling in place to manage retries.

    2. Response handling is critical to ensure the system can gracefully handle errors.


6. Payload

  • Definition: The data sent within the body of a request or response, often in JSON format.

  • Portuguese: Dados enviados

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. The payload includes all the necessary information for us to process the request.

    2. We parse the payload to extract the user’s details for further processing.


7. Handle retry

  • Definition: The process of attempting a request again after it fails, often due to network issues or timeouts.

  • Portuguese: Lidar com tentativa

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. If the webhook fails, we have a system in place to handle retries automatically.

    2. Our service can handle retries up to three times before stopping.


8. Timeout

  • Definition: A set time limit after which a request or process is stopped if no response is received.

  • Portuguese: Tempo esgotado

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. If the request doesn’t complete within the specified timeout, the service will retry.

    2. The timeout is set to 30 seconds, after which the system stops waiting for a response.


9. Listen for the request

  • Definition: To set up a system or endpoint to wait for and receive incoming requests from another service.

  • Portuguese: Aguardar a solicitação

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. Our endpoint is configured to listen for the request from the external service.

    2. The server will listen for the request and process the data as soon as it arrives.


10. Send a signature

  • Definition: The process of attaching a unique key or token to a request to verify its authenticity.

  • Portuguese: Enviar uma assinatura

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. The webhook will send a signature with the payload to confirm it’s from a trusted source.

    2. We validate the request by checking the signature the external service sends.


11. Trigger

  • Definition: To initiate or cause something to happen, such as an event or process.

  • Portuguese: Acionar

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. The external service will trigger the webhook when a specific action occurs.

    2. An event is triggered every time a user completes the registration process.


12. External service

  • Definition: A system or application outside of the current system that communicates via APIs or webhooks.

  • Portuguese: Serviço externo

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. The external service triggers the webhook when a user updates their profile.

    2. We rely on an external service to provide real-time notifications.


Exercises

Story telling


Role play

[POST request, event-driven, verify the request, webhook integration, response handling, payload, handle retry, timeout, listen for the request, send a signature, trigger, external service]


Personal experience


Homework

Reading comprehension

  1. What type of architecture does Sarah mention the webhook integration is based on?

  2. What kind of request does the external service send to Sarah's system when an event occurs?

  3. How does Sarah’s system verify the security of the webhook request?

  4. What does the system do if the response to the webhook is not 200 OK?

  5. What specific data is included in the webhook request according to Sarah?


Fill-in-the-Blanks

Complete the dialog using the words from the box below:

[POST request, event-driven, verify the request, webhook integration, response handling, payload, handle retry, timeout, listen for the request, send a signature, trigger, external service]


Sarah:
I’ve been working on the new __________. It’s __________, so the __________ will __________ the webhook when a specific action occurs.

Will:
Nice! So, it sends a __________ to our endpoint?

Sarah:
Exactly. The __________ includes the data we need to process, and we __________ on a specific route.

Will:
What about security? Are you using a signature to __________?

Sarah:
Yes, the webhook will __________ with the payload, and we validate it before processing.

Will:
Sounds good. Have you handled retries in case of a __________ or error?

Sarah:
Yep, if the response isn’t 200 OK, the __________ service retries the request a few times.

Will:
Great. Let me know if there’s any issue with the __________.


Produce

Create Your Own Dialog

Instructions:

Using the 12 new words/expressions you’ve learned (POST request, event-driven, verify the request, webhook integration, response handling, payload, handle retry, timeout, listen for the request, send a signature, trigger, external service), create a dialog between two colleagues discussing a webhook integration they are implementing.


Partner Role Play

For this exercise, you will practice using the vocabulary related to renting a car by acting out a role-play scenario.

You will need a partner for this activity, where one person will play the customer and the other person will play the car rental agent.

[POST request, event-driven, verify the request, webhook integration, response handling, payload, handle retry, timeout, listen for the request, send a signature, trigger, external service]


Personal experience

Instructions:
For this homework assignment, you will write a short story about your experience.

Write a short reflection (150-200 words) on your personal experience (real or imagined) with implementing or troubleshooting a webhook integration. Use the 12 new words/expressions from the vocabulary to describe the process and challenges you faced.

[POST request, event-driven, verify the request, webhook integration, response handling, payload, handle retry, timeout, listen for the request, send a signature, trigger, external service]


Done


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Written by

Alexandre Calaça
Alexandre Calaça

I'm a passionate software developer.