Understanding API vs. Merchant Center in E-commerce
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Questions and Answers

The merchant centre is always ahead of the API in terms of features.

False (B)

Users are enforced to use a specific front end when working with the e-commerce platform.

False (B)

The training focuses primarily on using the API.

False (B)

Headless refers to the lack of a controlling front end in the e-commerce platform.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Customers are given the engine necessary for the e-commerce solution but not the body.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The FAQ mentioned is meant for beginners who are new to API integration.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The available interaction methods with an e-commerce solution are now limited to websites and mobile apps.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

By the end of the training, participants will feel like hackers by engaging with code.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

To create a new customer in the system, the only required information is their email.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A draft version of a customer includes all the same information as the final customer representation.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Users will need to understand API programming to successfully navigate the training presentation.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When creating a discount code, a draft version of the discount code must be submitted.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The meeting chat was functioning properly for public responses throughout the presentation.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Participants are encouraged to suggest their answers publicly in the chat.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

There is no need to verify the validity of the draft version before it becomes a full customer in the system.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The training session will not revisit the topic of required fields for customer creation.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

All resources in commercetools require a draft version before being fully created.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The training session included an interactive component where participants were asked questions.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Voice assistance has made screens unnecessary in various applications such as shopping.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The company Fantastic is still operating under its original name.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The API first approach allows direct access to the database.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The MAC Alliance was co-founded in 2017.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Releases are rolled out on a fixed schedule, such as every two weeks.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The documentation for commercetools is deemed organized and user-friendly.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Users need to check the documentation site daily to stay updated.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Merchant Centre serves as a visual interface directly connected to the database.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Microservices are used in the communication between the API and the data.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Documentation is less critical for developers since they can always remember all commands.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Subscribing to a product newsletter provides monthly updates about new features.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Individual customers have the ability to customize the software interface at will.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Developers are encouraged to have direct contact with the database for better performance.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The release cycle for updates is consistent and predictable.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The service agreement for Commercetools promises an availability of no less than 99.9%.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A slug is limited to 300 characters.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Commercetools has never gone below an availability of 99.5%.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The maximum number of categories in a project is a hard limit.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a service issue occurs, the first step should be to contact support immediately.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The limit of 1,000 product types is a hard limit.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Users can recover deleted data from backups that are made every hour.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The limits page should be open throughout the training.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Backups are retained for 30 days before being permanently deleted.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Soft limits can never be increased under any circumstances.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A user can access a support portal to submit support tickets.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A premium customer receives a guaranteed service availability of 99.99%.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The HCTP API documentation is a crucial resource for anyone using commercetools.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The technologies used in commercetools do not affect performance limits.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a user deletes data, they can use any email to recover it without contacting support.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Users are able to resolve all issues on their own without any support.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Product variance is the same as product types in commercetools.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The search feature can be used to quickly access the limits page.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The support response time is faster for premium customers compared to standard customers.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

To check for service interruptions, users should rely solely on their internet provider.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

All limits in commercetools are absolute and cannot be discussed with support.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The maximum number of allowable categories in a project is 5,000.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The service availability guarantees include details about downtime limits.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Users cannot recover from backups after the 14-day retention period.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Performance reasons are not a factor in setting limits within commercetools.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Training modules for self-learning are available and recommended for users.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Invoices must be managed by the Commercetools support team.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

You can find product type limits in the catalogue section of commercetools.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Service credits are provided when usage drops below a certain threshold.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

You can use features in early access for production projects.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A feature in public beta has a blue beta flag next to it.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Breaking changes in public beta will be announced at least one month in advance.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Community feedback is encouraged for feature requests.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Once a feature is generally available, it will lose its beta tag.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Silent deprecation means that a feature is completely removed from the system immediately.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Feedback from beta testers is often used to improve the product.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

You should always make changes when a new feature is released.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Commercetools allows any user to suggest features directly on the platform.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A feature that no one uses will typically be retained indefinitely.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Users will be notified six months in advance of the complete removal of a feature.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Once a feature is moved from early access to public beta, it is fully finalized.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Production projects are encouraged to adopt early access features without limitation.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The majority of customers using commercetools write applications in Java and TypeScript.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Python is one of the SDKs supported by commercetools.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A customer cannot exist without a version number according to the API requirements.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

To understand how to interact with customers, a developer must know the exact names of the fields used in the API.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The refresh modules provide an overview of new features introduced in the last year.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

All programming languages have an out-of-the-box SDK provided by commercetools.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

REST API is a communication standard supported by commercetools for application development.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Mandatory fields for a customer do not include email.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The documentation is described as dry and lacks detailed explanations.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The representative fields of a customer include integer types for certain attributes.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Certification preparation is included in the self-study modules offered by commercetools.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Commercetools does not support any documentation about its development kit.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Developers can only request customer data from a specific web store using a GET request.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

There is a significant amount of information about customer representation provided in the documentation.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The information provided in the API documentation does not include examples.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Self-teaching is discouraged in the developer training course.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

API (Application Programming Interface)

An API (Application Programming Interface) allows you to interact with a system, such as a platform or service, directly using code.

Merchant Center

Merchant Center provides a visual interface to manage an e-commerce project. However, it may lag behind the API in terms of updates and features.

Headless E-commerce Platform

A headless e-commerce platform gives you the core functionality (the engine) without enforcing any specific front-end design (the body).

Interactions with Headless Platforms

Headless e-commerce platforms allow you to create various interactions with your online store, such as websites, mobile apps, or even conversational experiences.

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Core Components of a Headless Platform

A headless e-commerce platform provides the core components of an online store, including the engine, but doesn't dictate how the front-end looks or functions.

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Customization in Headless E-commerce

Companies using headless e-commerce platforms often customize their front-end to match their brand and create unique user experiences.

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Flexibility of Headless Platforms

A headless e-commerce platform enables greater flexibility in creating different interfaces for an online store, exceeding traditional website or mobile app limitations.

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Custom Interactions in Headless E-commerce

Using a headless e-commerce platform allows developers to build custom interactions with an online shop using various technologies and frameworks.

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Draft representation

A version of a resource submitted to create a new resource in Commercetools.

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Customer representation

The complete version of a resource once it's created in Commercetools.

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What's the minimum information needed to create a customer in Commercetools?

The minimum information needed to successfully create a new customer in Commercetools.

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API interaction

The process of using the Commercetools API to perform actions like creating, updating, or deleting resources.

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Postman

A tool that allows you to interact with APIs, sending requests and viewing responses.

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Validation process

A process of confirming the validity and accuracy of information submitted for creating a new resource.

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Resource creation

The process of creating a new resource in Commercetools based on a valid draft.

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Resource ID

A unique identifier assigned to a resource in Commercetools.

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API-first approach

A software development approach that prioritizes APIs as the primary interface for interacting with software, minimizing direct data access and promoting flexibility.

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Composable Commerce

A software architecture where different components or services are built independently and communicate with each other through APIs.

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MACH Alliance

An organization advocating for API-first development principles and promoting collaboration among software companies.

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Continuous Delivery

A software development model where features and updates are released frequently, often daily, instead of adhering to fixed release schedules.

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Release Notes

A type of web document that provides updates and information on software changes, including bug fixes, new features, and known issues.

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RSS Feed

A feed format that allows websites and applications to subscribe to content updates from other sources.

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Documentation

A system for providing developers with information and resources on how to use a software product.

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Commercetools

A platform that offers a flexible approach to building e-commerce storefronts, providing different options for customization and integration.

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Headless Commerce

A software development model where the user interface (UI) is separated from the core functionalities of the application.

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Support Section

A website or application that provides support and assistance to users of a software product.

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Release Notes Archive

A collection of digital content on a website or application, organized into different categories and topics.

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Update Rollout

The process of sending out new versions of software to users.

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Release Cycle

The process of making software changes available to developers, often in a pre-release version.

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Slug

A unique identifier for a resource, typically a short, human-readable string.

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Hard limit

A hard limit is a fixed restriction that cannot be changed by the user.

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Soft limit

A soft limit can be adjusted by contacting support, depending on the impact on performance.

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Commerce project

A collection of resources, such as categories or products, within a commerce project.

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Limit

The maximum number of elements allowed in a specific resource, for example, categories or products.

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HCTP API documentation

The official documentation for the Composable Commerce API, providing information on available functions, resources, and interactions.

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API

An interface that allows developers to interact with a service using code, enabling automation and integration.

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Learning section

A collection of learning resources, including tutorials, documentation, and self-learning modules.

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Getting started guide

A resource that provides information about how to get started with a specific service or platform.

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Product type

A type of product that represents a specific item, with variations like size or color.

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Product

A specific instance of a product type, with unique attributes like color and size.

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Product variant

A variation of a product within the same product type, for example different colors for the same T-shirt.

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Product type limit

The maximum number of product types allowed in a Composable Commerce project.

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Composable Commerce section

A section in the Composable Commerce documentation specifically related to the platform's features and functionality.

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Commercetools Service Availability

Commercetools guarantees an uptime of at least 99.9% for its services, meaning they can only be down for a maximum of about 8 hours per year.

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Commercetools Status Page

A dedicated webpage that displays the status of all Commercetools services in different regions. It shows real-time and historical uptime information, helping users identify potential issues.

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Detailed Service Disruption Information

The Commercetools Status Page also includes detailed information about any recent service disruptions, including the location, time, and the reason for the outage.

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Commercetools Support Portal

The Commercetools Support Portal is accessible through "support.commercetools.com". It allows users to submit tickets for support requests, troubleshoot issues, and access relevant documentation.

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Alternative Support Channels

When encountering issues with Commercetools services, users can contact the support team via email even if they cannot access the Support Portal.

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Commercetools Documentation

A comprehensive documentation system where users can find detailed information about various aspects of Commercetools services, including setup, configuration, and best practices.

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Link Sharing Feature

Commercetools documentation allows users to copy links to specific sections of a page, making it easy to share specific information with others.

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Support for Feature Unlocking and Security

Commercetools' Support team is not just for resolving technical issues. Users can also contact support to unlock certain features or for guidance on specific actions to ensure they are done in a secure and compliant manner.

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Commercetools Data Backups

Commercetools automatically backs up project data every two hours and keeps these backups for 14 days. This allows users to recover lost data, such as accidentally deleted products, by restoring from these backups.

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Data Recovery Through Support

While Commercetools offers data backups, recovering data from them is not an automated process. Users need to contact the support team to initiate the recovery process.

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Standard Support Plan

Commercetools provides a standard support plan for all users, guaranteeing a 99% uptime. This plan includes basic support features.

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Premium Support Plan

Customers can opt for a premium support plan that offers a higher uptime guarantee of 99.99%, meaning even less downtime. This also includes faster response times from the support team.

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Commercetools Activity Log

The activity log keeps a record of all actions performed within a Commercetools project, allowing users to retrace their steps and understand the history of their activity.

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Activity Log for Troubleshooting

The Commercetools activity log provides a valuable tool for troubleshooting issues, understanding past actions, and pinpointing potential errors or misconfigurations.

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Backups as a Safety Net

While data backups are a valuable safety net, they are not intended to replace or encourage reckless actions. Users should always exercise caution and best practices to avoid unnecessary data loss.

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Early Access

A version of a new feature released to a restricted group of users, typically customers and partners who requested the feature, for testing and feedback.

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Public Beta

The stage of a feature release where it is considered stable and secure, allowing for production use. This is the version marked with a blue beta flag in the documentation.

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Breaking Change

Significant changes that break existing functionality. These are announced 3 months in advance to give users time to adjust.

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Feature Removal

The process of removing a discontinued feature from the platform. Announced 6 months in advance to allow users to migrate or adapt their workflows.

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Silent Deprecation

A field or functionality that is no longer actively used. Might remain accessible but hidden from the documentation.

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Generally Available (GA)

Any feature or functionality that has been tested enough to be considered reliable and stable for general use.

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Release Candidate (RC)

A period of testing and improvement for a new feature, typically longer than a beta stage, aimed at gathering feedback and ensuring the feature is stable.

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Community Page

A dedicated online platform where users can share feature requests, discuss problems, and exchange knowledge about Commercetools.

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Embedded Pricing

A type of pricing where the price of a product or service is included as part of a larger package or solution.

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Feature Enhancement

Changes to an existing feature that add new functionality without disrupting existing workflows.

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Deprecation

The process of gradually removing functionalities from the platform to improve efficiency and resource allocation.

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Standalone Pricing

A type of pricing where the price of a product or service is listed separately and independently.

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Service Credit

A credit given to customers for issues or service disruptions, usually in the form of a refund or discount on their subscription.

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Commercetools SDK

A set of tools and resources provided by Commercetools to help developers build applications that integrate with their platform.

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REST API

A standard communication protocol used by Commercetools for interacting with its API. It uses HTTP requests and JSON responses.

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Service Level Agreement (SLA)

A set of guaranteed service levels and performance metrics provided by Commercetools.

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Migration

A process of adapting existing code to work with new features or changes.

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Mandatory Fields

Fields that are mandatory for a customer record in Commercetools, meaning they cannot be left blank.

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Compatibility

A system that ensures compatibility between software components and updates.

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Optional Fields

Fields in a customer record that are optional, allowing developers to include them if needed.

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GET Request

A HTTP request method used for retrieving information from a server.

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POST Request

A HTTP request method used for creating new resources on a server.

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Customer ID

A unique identifier for a customer in Commercetools's system.

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GET by ID Request

A type of HTTP request used to retrieve a specific resource based on its ID.

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Endpoint

The endpoint or URL used to access a specific resource in Commercetools's API.

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API Example

A sample or example of how a request or response should be formatted when interacting with Commercetools's API.

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Study Notes

API vs. Merchant Center

  • API provides access to all Commercetools features, real-time updates
  • Merchant Center is a visual interface, but lags behind API in updates
  • Guarantee access via API, even if Merchant Center is unavailable
  • Training focuses on Merchant Center but also covers API usage for advanced tasks
  • API access is paramount: everything goes through API, even Merchant Center
  • API documentation is crucial
  • Learn to navigate documentation at docs.commercetools.com

Headless Commerce Platform

  • Headless architecture decouples front-end from back-end, providing flexibility
  • Enables use of various front-end platforms without limitations
  • Provides e-commerce engine, allowing customization of the storefront
  • Reflects modern approaches to e-commerce integration—not just web/mobile apps

API Documentation

  • Release notes updated frequently, almost daily
  • Documentation is highly organized
  • Filtering and details for specific API areas are available
  • Subscribe to RSS feed or newsletter for new updates via email

Support and Availability

  • 99.9% service uptime (with higher SLA for premium accounts)
  • Status page monitoring and transparent communication for system issues
  • Support available through support.commercetools.com
  • Email support for alternative contact
  • Documentation links to specific sections
  • Activity logs and 14-day backup for data recovery (contact support to retrieve)

Beta Features and Deprecation

  • Early access features provide feedback
  • Public beta features can be included in production
  • Breaking changes announced 3 months in advance
  • Feature removals announced 6 months in advance, avoiding disruption
  • Beta features have a "beta" flag in documentation to distinguish them

Community and Feature Requests

  • Dedicated community page for feature requests and discussions
  • Use the community page to propose feature ideas

Limits and Soft Limits

  • Limits exist for resources like slugs, categories, product types, etc.
  • Some limits are hard (e.g., slug length), while others are soft and can be adjusted via support
  • A page exists with all limits (https://your-address)
  • Use site search—e.g., "limits"
  • API documentation has reference resources like customers and drafts

Basic API Usage

  • Draft representations are used for creating new resources
  • Minimal required fields for creating a customer verified in API documentation

Additional notes

  • Premium support offers faster response times and potentially a phone number
  • Keep the limits page open during training
  • Refer to the main API documentation (HTCP) for details about available resources and how to use them

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Description

This quiz explores the differences between API and Merchant Center in a headless commerce environment. It highlights the importance of API access for real-time updates, while also discussing the visual interface offered by the Merchant Center. Additionally, it covers documentation and training aspects related to both tools.

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