Applications Programming Interfaces (API)
- 1. Application Programming Interface (API) & Web Services
- 2. What is an Application Programming Interface (API)? • An API (Application Programming Interface) acts as a bridge to facilitate communication between multiple applications. • APIs specify guidelines and procedures that permit smooth communication between various systems, promoting the sharing of information and features. • APIs allow two applications to communicate with each other. • Communication between Services - Bank transactions through 3rd party apps. • Communication between hardware - Access camera 0n mobile phone. • It establishes contact between a client and server. • A client sends a request through an API, and after performing the task, the API will send back the response to the client. • An API follows the principle of question and answer, on the same lines of same as humans communication, but coded in language called JSON (Java Script Object Notation). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZveW4_ZJtVY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBZO5Rb4ibo Emerging Technologies - APIs 2
- 3. API Requests Emerging Technologies - APIs 3
- 4. API Requests Emerging Technologies - APIs 4
- 5. Characteristics of APIs • API is a middleware program; it is a software-to-software interface, not a user interface. • With API, applications talk to each other without any user knowledge or intervention. • API is ‘software glue’ that provides ‘hooks’ that act as an interface between to disparate applications. • An API resembles Software as a Service (SaaS), since software developers don’t have to start from scratch every time they write a program. • APIs are used in a wide range of applications and services, including: • Integrating different systems and services, such as payment gateways, social media platforms, and messaging services. • Building mobile applications that can communicate with backend servers and databases. • Building web applications and services that can interact with other web services and systems. Emerging Technologies - APIs 5
- 6. Types of API by Use Cases •Open APIs: publicly available APIs that anyone can use to access a company’s data •Internal APIs: APIs used within a company/organization to communicate information between internal apps •Partner APIs: APIs designed specifically for third- party developers/partners, and are more limited in access Emerging Technologies - APIs 6