Introducing APIs
APIs are a collection of rules that allow different software to talk to each other, sharing data and functions. Think of an API as a digital messenger or middleman that helps developers build feature-rich and complex applications more efficiently and securely (Microsoft, 2023).
Communication between software through APIs involves a call-and-response method, such as asking a question and getting an answer. The asking part is the request sent from a user’s action, such as searching for something or clicking a button, or it might even be prompted by a message from another app. We can see this in the following figure.
Figure 11.1 – An example of an API
When sending an API request, multiple parts must be included for the request to be understood by the recipient and for the action to be performed. At a minimum, an API request usually includes the following parts:
- Endpoint: This is a specific web address (URL) that stands...
