REST API Pagination 101

By /

Listen to this Post

Featured Image
Pagination is essential for efficiently retrieving data in manageable chunks. It ensures smooth transactions, prevents server overload, and enhances user experience.

What is REST API Pagination?

REST API pagination segments a large dataset into smaller, more digestible units, improving performance and user experience. This method is crucial for data-heavy applications where long loading times or timeouts are issues.

Different Types of API Pagination

1️⃣ Offset Pagination

  • Definition: Skips a set number of records and returns a specific number.
  • Example: `GET /crm/v3/objects/contacts?limit=10&offset=20`
  • Pros: Simple to implement.
  • Cons: Poor performance on large data sets.

2️⃣ Page-based Pagination

  • Definition: Data is divided into fixed-size pages.
  • Example: `GET /api/articles?page=3&pageSize=10`
  • Pros: Predictable, avoids out-of-bound errors.
  • Cons: May cause issues with fast-changing data.

3️⃣ Keyset Pagination (Seek Method)

  • Definition: Uses a unique field (e.g., timestamp or ID) to paginate.
  • Example: `GET /api/events?since_id=12345&limit=10`
  • Pros: Excellent for large, frequently updated data sets.
  • Cons: Not suitable for non-sequential data.

4️⃣ Time-based Pagination

  • Definition: Uses timestamps to segment data.
  • Example: `GET /api/events?start_time=2025-04-01T00:00:00&end_time=2025-04-22T00:00:00`
  • Pros: Useful for trend analysis, log monitoring.
  • Cons: Limited flexibility in navigating across time.

5️⃣ Cursor-based Pagination

  • Definition: API returns a cursor that marks the position in the dataset.
  • Example: `GET /api/messages?cursor=abc123&limit=10`
  • Pros: Handles large data sets efficiently, reduces data inconsistencies.
  • Cons: More complex to implement.

6️⃣ Combined Pagination

  • Definition: A hybrid of multiple pagination methods, tailored to specific needs.
  • Example: Combining cursor-based for real-time and time-based for historical data.
  • Pros: Flexible, optimized for various data types.
  • Cons: Can be complex to implement and maintain.

Best Practices for REST API Pagination

✔ Use standard parameter names like page, pageSize, or offset.
✔ Include pagination metadata in responses (e.g., total pages, current page).

✔ Provide navigation links (`next`, `previous`, `first`, `last`).

✔ Allow custom page sizes to enhance user experience.

✔ Implement rate limiting to prevent server overload.

✔ Support sorting for added flexibility.

You Should Know:

Linux Commands for Log Pagination

 Paginate logs using 'less' 
journalctl --since "2025-04-01" --until "2025-04-22" | less

Offset-based log extraction 
tail -n +100 /var/log/syslog | head -n 20

Time-based log filtering 
grep "ERROR" /var/log/nginx/access.log | awk '$4 >= "[01/Apr/2025" && $4 <= "[22/Apr/2025"'

Python Script for Cursor Pagination

import requests

url = "https://api.example.com/data" 
cursor = None

while True: 
params = {"cursor": cursor, "limit": 10} if cursor else {"limit": 10} 
response = requests.get(url, params=params).json() 
print(response["data"]) 
cursor = response.get("next_cursor") 
if not cursor: 
break

SQL Pagination Queries

-- Offset Pagination 
SELECT  FROM users ORDER BY id LIMIT 10 OFFSET 20;

-- Keyset Pagination 
SELECT  FROM events WHERE id > 12345 ORDER BY id LIMIT 10;

Windows PowerShell Pagination

 Paginate large CSV files 
Import-Csv .\data.csv | Select-Object -First 10 -Skip 20

API Pagination with Invoke-RestMethod 
$response = Invoke-RestMethod -Uri "https://api.example.com/data?page=3&pageSize=10"

What Undercode Say:

Pagination is a must-have for scalable APIs. Whether you’re dealing with logs, databases, or web services, efficient data retrieval ensures optimal performance. Use cursor-based for real-time apps, offset-based for static datasets, and hybrid methods for complex systems.

Expected Output:

✔ Linux logs filtered by time (`journalctl`, `grep`).

✔ Python cursor-based API traversal.

✔ SQL offset and keyset queries.

✔ PowerShell CSV and API pagination.

🔗 Relevant URLs:

Prediction:

As APIs grow more complex, AI-driven dynamic pagination will emerge, optimizing chunk sizes based on real-time server load and user behavior. Expect GraphQL-like flexibility in REST APIs soon.

References:

Reported By: Ashsau Rest – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

Join Our Cyber World:

💬 Whatsapp | 💬 Telegram

Related Posts: