Application programming interface

An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of functions, procedures, methods or classes used by computer programs to request services from the operating system, software libraries or any other service providers running on the computer.[1] A computer programmer uses the API to make application programs.

An API works by communicating with and exchanging data with other systems, acting as a messenger between the user and the system to retrieve the necessary data the user is requesting from the system.

Main types of web APIs:

  • Open APIs - available to the public; they can be accessed by any external users.
  • Partner APIs - available to strategic business partners; they are exposed to a public API developer portal.
  • Internal APIs - available to a company's internal development teams; they are exposed to a private API developer portal.
  • Composite APIs - are a sequence of tasks bundled into a single API call.[2]

Types of API include web services API like the Twitter API, which allows programs to use the API to receive updates on tweets.

References
  1. "What is an API? Easily explained! | Data Basecamp". 2022-07-23. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  2. "Types of APIs | Learn about the Different Types of APIs in 2020". API Friends. 2020-04-29. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
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