WHAT IS AN API ?

It's a common question with many answers, but after so many research I think the MuleSoft's answer is simple and on point.
“An application programming interface (API) is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. An API expresses a software component in terms of its operations, inputs, outputs, and underlying types. An API defines functionalities that are independent of their respective implementations, which allows definitions and implementations to vary without compromising each other. A good API makes it easier to develop a program by providing all the building blocks.

APIs often come in the form of a library that includes specifications for routines, data structures, object classes, and variables. In other cases, notably SOAP and REST services, an API is simply a specification of remote calls exposed to the API consumers. An API specification can take many forms, including an International Standard, such as POSIX, vendor documentation, such as the Microsoft Windows API, or the libraries of a programming language, e.g., the Standard Template Library in C++ or the Java APIs. An API differs from an application binary interface (ABI) in that an API is source code-based while an ABI is a binary interface. For instance POSIX is an API, while the Linux Standard Base provides an ABI”. To speak plainly, an API is the messenger that runs and delivers your request to the provider you’re requesting it from, and then delivers the response back to you. So, whenever you think of an API, just think of it as your waiter running back and forth between applications, databases and devices to deliver data and create the connectivity that puts the world at our fingertips.

Where to start ?

As a beginner, I advice you to consult programmableweb, it' a good website for API users and developers. I used to watch their training series about APIs and it was very helpful.

This training serie will help youto learn the basics of APIs. It contains 11 parts which starts with : What's an API and it ends with : How APIs Are Used - How to Build an API and How to Consume it?

Feel free to share your comments and feedbacks, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Hirobyl

WHAT IS AN API ?

WHAT IS AN API ?

Where to start ?

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