What do apis do

For example, you may have heard of Java APIs, or interfaces within classes that let objects talk to each other in the Java programming language.

There are 15, publicly available APIs, according to Programmable Web, and many thousands of more private APIs that companies use to expand their internal and external capabilities. We also have more resources about how APIs are changing the enterprise and becoming valuable business assets themselves. Skip to content. API-led connectivity. Shana Pearlman September 07, 11 mins read. Share post. Read reports. Related articles.

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An API Application Programming Interface is a set of functions that allows applications to access data and interact with external software components, operating systems, or microservices.

These however, are not the same. Microservices are a style or architecture which divides functionality within a web application. While API is the framework which developers interact with a web application. Microservices can actually use API to communicate between each other. There are four basic request methods that can be made with API:.

There are several components of an API Request in order for it to function. There are two key parts to an endpoint that are used when making an API request. One of which is the URL. This may look like a regular URL but if you plug this into a web browser, you will receive a error message. The second part is the path. The path will vary depending on what you are trying to accomplish. Headers provide information to the client and server. These credentials are provided to you automatically when you create an API Account.

Methods are the actions taken when sending a request. These are all API Methods. The body of a request will sometimes require specific information before it can be delivered. An example of this is if you are editing a single product, the Product ID will be required before any change can be made.

While API follows a specific set of rules that determine how programs communicate with one another. Each are similar in functionality but have several key differences and use cases. One of these rules is that the API should be designed in a way that is easy to use and will make sense for developers. XML is designed to be machine- and human-readable. SOAP follows a strong standard of rules, such as messaging structure and convention for providing request or responses. REST is generally the preferred choice amongst software developers.

From shopping online , browsing a social media app, or playing a game on your smartphone. Here are some real-world examples of how you interact with API and may not even realize. Think of yourself as a user and a bank teller as an API, while the bank is the system you interact with. As you can see the API, is a messenger between your needs and the system.

When you go onto a travel site, it may be linked to 10 other travel sites to find the best deal for you. When you input details like Atlanta, 2 nights, 1 Room, you send this request to those 10 different travel sites. The API takes your request for that specific location, date range, and room and pings the 10 sites, who send back the deals they have found.

You look through the 10 deals and pick the best one. Again, the API is a messenger for your requests. Stalking your ex? Hopefully not, but thanks to APIs, you can do it easily! Finally, this series is one of several that we consider a part of the core curriculum to ProgrammableWeb's API University. As we look to expand this core curriculum as well as all of the content that API U hopes to offer , it is also our intention to revisit these series and improve both their content and presentation.

To that extent, we welcome suggestions and look forward to your feedback in an effort to ensure that ProgrammableWeb is the ultimate destination for maintaining your understanding of the API economy. In this, the first part of our series, we explain APIs as an alternative to something that pretty much everyone who has used an application is familiar with: the user interface.

Software needs an interface that makes it easy to consume data. Enter, application programming interfaces. APIs are used by software applications in much the same way that interfaces for apps and other software are used by humans. Imagine what life might be like without such a standard.