To the uninitiated, the term “Application Programming Interface” may sound like a highly technical object or a far-fetched futuristic contraption. However, APIs are more familiar to us than many technological elements that exist today.
Every time you checkout and pay on an eStore, you use an API. When you open Google Maps to search for the best routes to your destination, you’re using an API. In fact, we interact with many APIs daily – only we never had an inkling of what they actually were and how they worked.
In this article, you’ll learn all about APIs, how they work, and a few of their benefits.
Also read: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Business: Key Trends and Insights
What Is an API?
API stands for “Application Programming Interface” and refers to a fixed set of commands that facilitate communication between two machines or applications. APIs act as an intermediary layer that processes data transfers between different systems. With it, organisations can make their application data and functionality accessible to licensed third-party departments, partners, developers and businesses.
API components, thus, allow businesses to connect the many apps used in day-to-day operations, saving their employees time and optimising productivity collaborations.
Understanding APIs
An easy way to understand how APIs function is via the analogy of third-party digital payment processing. For instance, when online shoppers purchase products on an eStore, the checkout takes them to a portal where they may be prompted to pay using various channels such as credit/debit or PayPal.
An API facilitates this type of connection thus:
- An API call (Or request) is initiated when the buyer clicks the payment button. This request is processed from the app to the web server through a component known as the API’s URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), which includes headers, a request verb and a request body.
- Sequel to receiving the request from the application, the API makes another call to the respective web server or external application, in this case, the third-party digital payment system.
- After that, the API receives a response from the web server containing the requested data or information.
- Then, the API transmits the information to the initial requesting platform.
Although data transfers through APIs depend on the web service, all APIs facilitate all responses and requests seamlessly. APIs also consist of two main components:
- Technical Specification that describes the data exchange alternative between solutions. The specifications are in the form of requests for processing and data delivery protocols.
- A software interface that’s written to its corresponding specification.
Benefits of APIs
APIs are highly functional and convenient as they simplify the management, development and integration of new and existing services and applications. Organisations and developers stand to benefit the following from APIs:
Optimised Collaboration
Most business enterprises often use hundreds of cloud apps, most of which aren’t integrated with one another. APIs facilitate the connection to enable seamless interconnectivity. As such, organisations can boost workplace collaboration, performance, and productivity and automate workflows.
Accelerated Innovation
APIs enable organisations to be flexible, facilitating integrations with new business partners. As a result, enterprises can offer new services to their existing clientele and new markets to generate revenue and speed up digital transformation.
End-User Privacy and Security
APIs provide digital protection within networks as well as for personal users. For instance, when websites request user data such as location, the users can decide whether to deny or allow the request via the location API.
Conclusion
APIs have been revolutionary in modern software development, allowing companies to integrate key functionalities that would’ve taken a lot of time to implement. As such, end-users have been able to connect their best apps and enjoy the seamless flow of data cross-platform. The future of APIs is exciting, particularly regarding their adaptability to other technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an API?
An Application Programming Interface is a set of instructions that dictates and facilitates communication between two interacting applications.
What Is an API Call?
An API call is the medium through which programs interact and consists of a message to the server requesting data or information.
Who Can Use an API?
Although everyone uses APIs, the developers of disruptive software projects find them particularly useful, as they integrate various functionalities into their apps.