Development
What is API (Application Programming Interface)?
An API is a set of rules that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. It defines how to request and exchange data between systems.
Definition
An Application Programming Interface (API) is a contract that defines how software components interact. APIs allow different applications to share data and functionality without sharing code. For example, a weather app uses a weather service API to get forecasts. REST APIs use HTTP requests (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to perform operations. Modern products often expose APIs for third-party integrations.
Key Points
- Enables communication between different software
- REST APIs use HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
- Returns data in formats like JSON
- Allows third-party integrations
- Central to modern software architecture
Examples
- 1.Stripe API for processing payments
- 2.Google Maps API for location services
- 3.Twilio API for sending SMS
- 4.OpenAI API for AI capabilities
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Terms
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