What is an API?

API stands for application programming interface. On the surface, an API seems like another piece of technical jargon coined to make learning application development difficult. This is not the case. An API’s core purpose is to facilitate communication between different systems based on an agreed set of rules, methods, and protocols.

In the context of web applications, an API helps omnichannel frontend applications to communicate with backend services. The growing demand for digital services is fueling innovative ideas from business organizations to make their digital assets available through the design and implementation of APIs.

As a developer, you are going to spend a great chunk of your time developing solutions that are API-driven. Knowing how to design and implement API solutions increases your skill capital and value to your employer. Broadly speaking, there are two types of APIs: private APIs and public APIs.

Private APIs are sometimes called...