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APIs – What are they useful for?
API stands for ‘application programming interface’. Let me break this for you – “Application”, if you have a smart phone, you are well acquainted with what applications are, i.e., the tools, games, social media and other software that we use every day.
“Programming”, Programming is how engineers create all the software that make our lives so much easier.
“Interface”, an interface is a common boundary shared by two applications or programs that allow both to communicate with one another. So, an API is essentially a way for programmers to communicate with a certain application.
An API is a set of commands, functions, and protocols which programmers can use when building software for a specific HYPERLINK “http://techterms.com/definition/operating_system” operating system. The API allows programmers to use predefined functions to interact with the operating system, instead of writing them from scratch.
Whenever a developer or tool requests information from an API, they need to call that API, this is called an ‘API Call’.
The main idea behind Application Program Interfaces is that they allow a faster and more reliable software development. Instead of fully establishing all of the features of your own application, with API you can fully focus on the core values of your code. You are enriching your code with the already developed software by simply connecting it to your application.
Top tracked APIs of all time include Facebook, Google Maps, Twitter, YouTube etc.
Popular API Examples
- HYPERLINK “https://developers.google.com/maps/” \t “http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/_blank” Google Maps API: Google Maps APIs lets developers embed Google Maps on webpages using a JavaScript or Flash interface. The Google Maps API is designed to work on mobile devices and desktop browsers.
- HYPERLINK “https://developers.google.com/youtube/” \t “http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/_blank” YouTube APIs: YouTube API: Google’s APIs lets developers integrate YouTube videos and functionality into websites or applications.
- HYPERLINK “https://dev.twitter.com/” \t “http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/_blank” Twitter APIs: Twitter offers two APIs. The REST API allows developers to access core twitter data and the Search API provides methods for developers to interact with Twitter Search and trends data.