OAuth typically doesn't use API keys in the traditional sense, as it relies on access tokens for authentication and authorization. However, API keys can still play a role in OAuth-based systems, particularly in scenarios involving public clients or mobile applications.
Here's how OAuth might involve API key-like mechanisms:
Client Registration:
Authorization Request:
Access Token Request:
POST /token HTTP/1.1 Host: https://quote.claricosystems.com/token Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded grant_type=authorization_code &code=AUTHORIZATION_CODE &redirect_uri=REDIRECT_URI &client_id=CLIENT_ID &client_secret=CLIENT_SECRET
grant_type=authorization_code
: Indicates the authorization code grant type.code
: Authorization code obtained in the previous step.redirect_uri
: Redirect URI used in the authorization request.client_id
and client_secret
: Client credentials.Access Token Response:
json
{
"access_token": "eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9...",
"token_type": "Bearer",
"expires_in": 3600,
"refresh_token": "eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9...",
"scope": "read write"
}
Accessing Protected Resources:
httpGET /api/resource HTTP/1.1 Host: https://quote.claricosystems.com/api/v1/Test Authorization: Bearer eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9...
Client Identification:
client_id
in OAuth serves a similar purpose to an API key. It identifies the client application.Client Secret:
client_secret
adds an extra layer of security, similar to how an API key might be used for authentication.Enhanced Security:
Confidential Clients:
In this context, while not exactly an "API key," the client_id
and client_secret
in OAuth fulfill similar functions by uniquely identifying and authenticating clients in the OAuth authorization process.