API (Application Programming Interface)

What is the definition of API (Application Programming Interface)? Learn what you need to know about this term.

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What does API mean?

API stands for “Application Programming Interface.” It is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software systems to communicate with each other. It acts as an intermediary between different software systems, allowing them to share data and functionality.

APIs are commonly used to allow different software applications to integrate with each other. For example, a company’s website might use an API to connect to a payment processing system, allowing customers to make purchases directly from the website. Similarly, a mobile app might use an API to connect to a server to retrieve data or perform an action.

APIs can also be used to allow external developers to access a company’s data or functionality. For example, a company might provide an API that allows developers to access its product catalog, which they can then use to build their own applications.

APIs are typically accessed over the internet, and they can use various protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, and SOAP. They can also use various data formats such as XML, JSON, and CSV, etc.