How do you fetch data from an external API in LWC?

Fetching data from an external API in Lightning Web Components (LWC) is typically achieved using the fetch() function. This is a modern JavaScript feature that allows you to make HTTP requests to retrieve data from remote servers.

When you use fetch(), you specify the endpoint of the API you want to access, and you can include additional options, such as the HTTP method, headers, and body content, if necessary. Once the request is made, it returns a promise that resolves to the response of the request. You can then handle the response, typically by parsing the JSON data it contains and utilizing it within your component.

This method is favored in LWC due to its simplicity and the benefits of Promises, such as easier chaining of asynchronous operations and better readability of the code. It also aligns well with modern web standards, enabling developers to write cleaner and more efficient code.

While other options present valid methods in different contexts—like using an Apex controller to call external APIs or utilizing XMLHTTPRequest for older approaches—fetch() is the recommended approach specifically within the context of LWC development, given its advantages in ease of use and integration with the framework's reactivity and lifecycle.