CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

What metric is used to measure API request capacity?

1. Total lookups per second

2. Connections per second

3. Requests per second

4. IOPS

The correct answer is: Requests per second

Measuring API request capacity is typically done in terms of "Requests per second," which quantifies the number of API calls that can be successfully processed by a system in one second. This metric provides a direct understanding of how well an API can handle traffic and gives developers insight into performance under various loads. Requests per second is critical for performance monitoring and optimization, as it informs developers and system operators about the system’s responsiveness and scalability. A higher number indicates that an API can efficiently handle more simultaneous users or transactions. The other options may measure related aspects of system performance but do not specifically indicate API request capacity in the same direct manner. For instance, total lookups per second might refer to specific queries but lacks the broader context of API requests across different endpoints. Connections per second focuses on the establishment of connections rather than the requests themselves, which can vary in complexity. Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS) relates more to storage performance rather than API functionality. Thus, "Requests per second" is the most relevant and accurate choice for assessing API request capacity.