API Application Programming Interface

API is the acronym for Application Programming Interface, a set of functions and procedures that enables companies to specify how software components should interact and share data with each other, allowing developers to build and integrate applications.

APIs enable developers to access data and services from other applications or platforms. For example, an API could allow a developer to access a database or use a third-party service like a payment gateway.

An API is a code that governs the server’s access point and acts as an intermediary between an application and a web server, allowing you to access that service easily.

Simply put, the API process is made up of 4 stages:

• A client application sends an API request (including a request verb, headers, and also a request body if it is present)  that is processed from an application to the web server via URI (API’s Uniform Resource Identifier);

• After the approval of the request, the API makes a call to the external web server;

• The server sends its response to the API, including the requested data;

• The API transfers information to the initial requesting application.

APIs also help to improve security and protect against unauthorized access. Many APIs use authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users can access their data and services.

APIs can be classified into different types, depending on their use and the data they access. Usually, web APIs allow developers to access data and services over the internet.