CHAPTER 15
Beginner
API Calls and Fetching Data
Updated: May 18, 2026
5 min read
# CHAPTER 15
API Calls and Fetching Data
1. Chapter Introduction
Modern web applications are driven by data from REST APIs. In Svelte, you can fetch data using the standard browserfetch() API inside onMount, or elegantly handle the three async states (loading, success, error) directly in the template using {#await}. This chapter covers all patterns.
2. Learning Objectives
-
Fetch data inside
onMountwith loading/error state management.
-
Use
{#await}for declarative async templates.
- Handle API errors gracefully.
- Implement data refresh and search.
- Build a Weather Application.
3. Pattern 1: Manual State Management
svelte
4. Pattern 2: {#await} in Template
svelte
5. Mini Project: Weather Application
svelte
6. Common Mistakes
-
No error handling: Always wrap
fetchin try/catch or use{:catch}.
-
Not checking
res.ok:fetchonly rejects on network errors, not HTTP 4xx/5xx. Always checkif (!res.ok).
7. MCQs
Question 1
Does fetch() throw an error for HTTP 404 responses?
Question 2
What property tells you if an HTTP response was successful?
Question 3
What is the simplest Svelte pattern for async template rendering?
Question 4
How do you refresh data in {#await} pattern?
Question 5
Where is the best place to call fetch in a Svelte component?
Question 6
What HTTP header do you need for sending JSON in a POST request?
Question 7
How do you send a POST request with JSON body?
Question 8
What does finally block do in try/catch/finally for loading state?
Question 9
What do you check to get HTTP error status code?
Question 10
What free API can you use for testing without an API key?
8. Interview Questions
- Q: What is the difference between a network error and an HTTP error? How does Svelte handle each?
-
Q: Compare the
onMountstate management pattern with the{#await}template pattern. When would you choose each?
9. Summary
Svelte provides two elegant patterns for async data fetching: manual state management inonMount for full control, and the {#await} block for declarative, colocated loading/success/error templates. Always check res.ok and handle errors gracefully to build robust applications.