Tag: what is application programming interface

what is application programming interface

An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of defined rules and mechanisms by which different software entities interact with each other. It allows different software applications to communicate and share data and functionality in a controlled manner.

APIs are a way to enable the integration between two different systems or pieces of software. They can be found in virtually every software application.

Here’s a breakdown of what an API encompasses:

  1. Protocols and Tools: An API defines the way requests for certain actions or data should be made, the required format of these requests, and the protocols through which these requests can be made.
  2. Data Formats: APIs often specify the format of the data, such as XML or JSON, so that there is consistency in data exchange.
  3. Endpoints: In the context of web APIs, an endpoint is a specific route or URL where API requests can be directed. For example, in a weather API, there might be an endpoint like /weather that provides current weather information when accessed.
  4. Methods: APIs often support a variety of methods, which can include actions like GET (retrieve data), POST (submit data), PUT (update data), and DELETE (remove data). The available methods and their behavior are defined by the API.
  5. Documentation: Most APIs come with documentation that describes in detail how the API works, the endpoints available, the input it expects, and the output it produces. Good documentation is essential for developers to effectively utilize the API.
  6. Authentication and Authorization: Many APIs implement methods to ensure that the calling program has the right to access the data or services provided by the API. This might involve API keys, OAuth, or other authentication mechanisms.

APIs are utilized in many contexts, including:

  • Web APIs: Allow applications to communicate over the web. For example, when you use a weather app on your phone to get the current temperature, the app might be using a web API to request that data from a remote server.
  • Operating Systems APIs: Allow applications to interact with the underlying OS. For example, when a software wants to open a file on your computer, it will use the OS’s API to do so.
  • Library APIs: These are sets of routines, protocols, and tools for building software and applications. A good example is the Java API, which provides a wide array of functionalities for Java developers.
  • Hardware APIs: Allow software to interact with hardware devices, like printers, cameras, or GPUs.

APIs have become increasingly crucial in the modern software landscape, as they facilitate the creation of more interconnected and integrated digital experiences.

what is application programming interface

What is an API or Application Programming Interface ?

What is an API? (Application Programming Interface)

What is an API
What is an API

API is the acronym for Application Programming Interface. In simple words we can say it is the communicator between two software applications. It allows software applications to talk each other.

Every day we are interacting with the multiple applications which are integrated with other applications. Example : Amazon, Flipkart, Phonepe etc.. It means every day we are using an API but the thing is we do not know that this is API.

Let us try to discuss and understand what an API with using some examples. I feel by using examples we can understand what is an API is.

For example some applications will allow you to login and use application with using gmail account. And for some applications which will allow you to login and access the application by using your Facebook account.

It means that applications have integration with gmail and Facebook. Here these two applications talk each other and how the request should be and in which format they are expecting request from the sender.

We will discuss in detail with another example to understand what is an API? :

What Is an API and Example?

For example I want to book train tickets, to book train tickets I need not go to IRCTC portal. If you observe by using other applications also we can book the tickets. So here we can understand these two applications are talking each other to execute your request.

Here the main concept is to understand is “Request and Response” How we need to pass the Request and how we are going to get response.

Or how we will give the response and how we are expecting request to give correct response.

If you observe our website, if you register with your email id you will get the immediate response or message. To send email messages I am using some other applications means I am using API to pass values as per their request.

Let us observe one more example which we are using on daily basis to make you understand what is an API in detail.

Here is a real-life API example. We will search for flights online to check the availability and all.  We will have a multiple options to choose from, including different cities, departure and return dates, and more.

Let us imagine that you’re booking you are flight on an airline website. You choose a departure city and date, a return city and date, cabin class, as well as other variables.

In order to book your flight, you interact with the airline’s website to access their database and see if any seats are available on those dates and what the costs might be.

However, what if you are not using the airline’s website–– and you are using some other applications to book the tickets. As all you know now days we are using multiple applications to book flight tickets or some other needs.

The travel service, in this case, interacts with the airline’s API. The API is the interface that,, can be asked by that online travel service to get information from the airline’s database to book seats, baggage options, etc.

The API then takes the airline’s response to your request and delivers it right back to the online travel service, which then shows you the most updated, relevant information.

Software developers or organizations are using below API’s

  1. SOAP Service (API)
  2. REST API (Service)

Developers will write code and use json format or .xml format to form request and response.

As a Business Analyst you need not have deep knowledge on this like how to write code and how developers frame request and response in json or .xml format.  But you should have at least knowledge to how to understand the request and response. It helps you to understand based on the response received.

For example any application or website down usually we receive message as “404 error” based on this response or message we can understand website is down.

I hope it helped you to provide a overview about what is an API?

If you want to know more about what is an API and how to develop API, you can browse on google to understand. Enough material is available in google and youtube.

For Business Analyst perspective it provides overview on what is an API ?

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