Application programming interface
An application programming interface (API) is a set of functions, procedures, methods or classes used by computer programs to request services from the operating system, software libraries or any other service providers running on the computer. A computer programmer uses the API to make application programs.[1][2][3][4]
An API works [5] by communicating with and exchanging data with other systems, acting as a messenger between the user and the system to retrieve the necessary data the user is requesting from the system.
Main types of web APIs:[6]
- Open APIs - available to the public; they can be accessed by any external users.
- Partner APIs - available to strategic business partners; they are exposed to a public API developer portal.
- Internal APIs - available to a company's internal development teams; they are exposed to a private API developer portal.
- Composite APIs - are a sequence of tasks bundled into a single API call.
Types of API include web services API like the Twitter API, which allows programs to use the API to receive updates on tweets.
References
- ↑ Thompsett, Louis (2025-03-20). "Bitpace: Powering the Future of Finance Through APIs". fintechmagazine.com. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ↑ Precisely. "Precisely Expands Automate SAP Data API to Simplify Integration and Scale Enterprise Process Automation". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ↑ "What is API Integration and How it works?".
- ↑ Erlin, Tim (2025-03-17). "Securing APIs in the age of AI". DevPro Journal. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ↑ Rajdeep, Singh (2022-07-23). "How API Integration Works?". Suffescom. Archived from the original on 2024-11-22. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
- ↑ Defranchi, Lydia (2024-03-28). "Different types of APIs explained: styles, protocols, audiences + real-life examples". Axway Software. Archived from the original on 2022-08-17. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
