What is an API? A Simple, Non-Technical Explanation

APIs enable integration so that these platforms and apps can seamlessly communicate with one another. Through this integration, companies can automate workflows and improve workplace collaboration. Without APIs, many enterprises would lack connectivity, causing information silos that compromise productivity and performance. APIs simplify design and development of new applications and services, and integration and management of existing ones. But they offer other significant benefits to developers and organizations at large. It’s fair to ask if migrating to gRPC is worth it when REST is so common and familiar to developers.

They are designed for consumption for specific audiences (e.g. mobile developers), and they are documented and versioned in a way that enables users to have clear expectations of their maintenance and lifecycle. The term “API” has been generically used to describe connectivity interfaces to an application. However, over the years, the modern API has taken on some unique characteristics that have truly transformed the technology space.

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New web APIs can be found on API marketplaces and API directories. API marketplaces are open platforms where anyone can list an API for sale. API directories are controlled repositories regulated by What is API the directory owner. Expert API designers may assess and test a new API before adding it to their directory. API testing is the same as software testing and must be done to prevent bugs and defects.

api explanation

But, if you see a software platform or service has added new APIs for various hardware or services, it should be easier for developers to take advantage of such features. They mean you can interact with apps, smart TV services, your car and more and yet you never see them. Additionally, today, APIs are treated more like products than code.

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It also helps developers and businesses to collaborate with each other to build some exciting services. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) and REST (Representational State Transfer) are two of the most common architectural styles for building APIs. SOAP APIs use XML and include built-in features for security and error handling, which makes them well-suited for enterprise environments with strict standards.

api explanation

After understanding these concepts, you can try working on them by implementing some of the concepts in projects. Not just theoretical knowledge, you must also have a practical idea of it by working on it. Developers must have a deep understanding of APIs in order to implement them. Its main feature is that REST API is statelessness, i.e., the servers do not save clients’ data between requests.