Legacy APIs overview
Before listing the legacy APIs, it’s important to emphasize the more recent availability of the DataStax Data API and the Python, Java, and TypeScript client apps built on it.
The Data API and its AI-enabled, multi-region functionality is designed for Astra DB Serverless databases. The Data API and client apps offer high-demand features such as vector searches with AI projections that return similarity scores. The Data API eliminates the need for complex data modeling, and enables you to start coding applications quickly, which is critical in the rapidly evolving Generative AI (GenAI) field. Data API leverages the scalability, performance, and real-time indexing capabilities of Astra DB Serverless and Apache Cassandra®.
Also, the DataStax RAGStack implementation is based on the Data API. RAGStack is a curated stack of the best open-source software for easing implementation of the Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pattern in production-ready applications using Astra DB Serverless or Apache Cassandra as a vector store.
Legacy APIs
Several DataStax APIs were available before the 2023 release of the Data API. Legacy Stargate API documentation is available on the stargate.io/docs site.
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For users of the older Document API, consider instead using the vector-enabled Data API commands and the methods developed in the Python, Java, and TypeScript client apps.
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The REST API exposes CRUD access to data stored in Cassandra tables.
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The GraphQL API allows you to modify and query your table data using GraphQL types, mutations, and queries with any Cassandra deployment.
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The gRPC API is a data gateway deployed between client applications and a database. gRPC is a modern, open source remote procedure call (RPC) framework. It enables client and server applications to communicate transparently, and makes it easier to build connected systems. The Stargate gRPC API is implemented to create language-specific queries using CQL with any Cassandra deployment.
What’s next?
If you’re an existing user of the legacy APIs, DataStax encourages you to explore the functionality of the Data API and client apps. Start in the API reference overview.