APIs – An introduction
Before we delve into the details of this chapter’s specific project, let us spend a moment talking about APIs in general.
What is an API?
As we mentioned at the beginning of the chapter, API stands for Application Programming Interface. An API is a set of rules, protocols, and tools for building software and applications. It acts as a connection layer between computers, or computer programs. In contrast, user interfaces provide a bridge between computers and people.
An API is normally accompanied by a specification document, or standard, which serves as a blueprint that outlines how software components are meant to interact. A system that meets the specification is said to implement, or expose, the API. The term API can describe both the implementation and the specification.
In essence, an API defines the methods and data formats that developers can use to interact with a program, a web service, or any other software.
Broadly...
