Application programming interfaces (APIs)
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) act as intermediaries that allow different software applications to communicate with each other. Think of an API as a menu in a restaurant; it lists the available dishes and how to order them. Similarly, an API specifies the functions and data that developers can use from a service, enabling them to harness its capabilities without needing to understand the underlying code. This makes it easier to create applications that can interact with other services, such as social media, payment systems, or weather data, fostering innovation and integration across different platforms.
Additional Insights
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An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of rules that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. Think of it as a menu in a restaurant: it lists the dishes (functions) you can order, and the kitchen (the software) knows how to prepare them. When you use an app, it might send requests to services through APIs to get information or perform tasks, like retrieving weather data or processing payments. APIs help software integrate seamlessly, enabling diverse systems to work together efficiently.