API stands for Application Programming Interface.
It is a set of rules and
protocols that allow different software applications to communicate with each
other.
Key Points About APIs:
1. Intermediary Between Systems – APIs enable one application to
request data or services from another application without knowing its
internal details.
2. Standardized Communication – APIs follow predefined formats, usually
using JSON or XML for data exchange.
3. Types of APIs:
o Web APIs (REST, SOAP, GraphQL) – Used for web applications
(e.g., Google Maps API, Twitter API).
o Library APIs – Allow programs to use functions from a software
library (e.g., jQuery API).
o Operating System APIs – Provide access to OS features (e.g.,
Windows API).
4. Common Uses:
o Fetching weather updates
o Payment gateway integration (PayPal, Stripe)
o Social media logins (Google, Facebook)
o Connecting mobile apps with cloud services