What is an API and what is it used for?

Asked By Juan M Flora 90 points N/A Posted on - 11/19/2014

What is an Application programming Interface? Name some important APIs in the context of software applications. What are some qualities of a well designed API? What are some defects of a poorly designed API? What are the considerations to be kept in mind while building a secure API? Why does a company release its proprietary API to the public?

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Answered By Sharath Reddy 590495 points N/A #188940

What is an API and what is it used for?

API is the acronym used for Application-Programming Interface. It is a set of standards and programming instructions for accessing a web-based application or web-based software or a web tool. APIs are released by software companies so that other software developers can conceive products that are powered by its service. One example is Amazon.com.

It released its API so that website developers can easily access the product information of Amazon. With the API in use, a third-party website can place direct links to Amazon products which can include updated prices and the option to “buy now”. An API is actually a software-to-software interface and not a user interface.

With the application of APIs, applications talk to each other without any user intervention. It is the API that identifies how software components should work together or interact. And also, when programming a graphical user interface or GUI, an API is used.

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• Posted on - 11/21/2014
• Question Category: Software Others