API(Application Programming Interface)

What is API (application programming interface)?

Calling all Tech enthusiasts! Have you ever thought about how you can use any app on your phone perfectly, anywhere and anytime? It feels like magic, right? But the real secret behind your digital life isn't some kind of magic. In the last blog, we discussed about 6 Common Mistakes Junior Developers Should Avoid! if you want to read then click on the link.

Today, we're diving into the world of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) – the hidden heroes working tirelessly behind the scenes to make your app experiences smooth as butter (no magic required!). wait and hold on to your virtual wallets – APIs aren't some complicated tech jargon from an ancient era. They're the silent heroes working tirelessly in the background, making our digital lives smoother than a perfectly swiped credit card transaction.

What is API?

API is a set of rules, protocols, and tools for building software and applications, allowing different software programs to communicate with each other. We can say API is just an output to an input that you gave to someone. They're like the ordering system for your software. You give them instructions (inputs), and they reliably provide you with what you asked for (predictable outputs).

Imagine this: You're at a restaurant, ready to eat a delicious meal (you, the end-user). The friendly waiter (the API) approaches your table, eager to take your order (your request). They don't necessarily need to know the complicated details of how the chef whips up culinary masterpieces in the kitchen (the complex workings of the backend system). Their job is to understand your desires from the menu (the defined API) and relay them back to the kitchen.

The magic happens behind the scenes. The waiter communicates your order to the chefs, who then prepare your food based on your request. Finally, the waiter returns with your perfectly cooked meal (the response you were waiting for).

APIs work similarly. They act as intermediaries, allowing different software programs to chat and exchange information. They provide a set of clear instructions and tools, like a well-defined menu, that programs can follow to interact and share data.

Think of it like this: APIs are the universal translators of the app world. They allow apps, even those created by different companies, to understand each other and share data seamlessly. This is the secret behind features like checking the weather within your messaging app or booking a ride directly through your travel app.

In essence, APIs are the hidden elements that connect our digital world. They ensure things work smoothly behind the scenes, making our lives easier and more convenient. So, the next time you fire up an app, remember the silent hero – the API – working tirelessly in the background to make your digital experience delightful.

Let’s look at APIs from a more common and non-technical perspective.

Suppose that we have a weather app and a messaging app. Here's a simple explanation of an API using these two apps:

In this example, the weather app wants to give weather information to the messaging app. To execute this, the weather app developers create an API that exposes specific functions and data related to weather information. 

The messaging app developers can then integrate this weather API into their app. They use the API to send requests for weather updates, such as the current temperature or forecast, to the weather app's server.

In a way, an API is like a bridge or a middleman that connects two different apps. If application A wants to gain access to information/functionality from application B, it sends out an instruction (i.e. the API). Application B reads the instructions and returns the requested information to application A.

Now we are clear with the concept of API. Well, it’s a good start but this is just a piece of basic knowledge about API it’s just an interval whole movie is still pending.

Let’s discuss different types of API one by one but first, subscribe to our newsletter for more blogs like this -

• Different Types of API -
  

1. Internal APIs: An internal API is basically a middleman that allows different software programs within a company to talk to each other and share information. Imagine a company has a customer database program and a sales program - an internal API would allow the sales program to access customer data from the database program without needing to know exactly how the database works. This can streamline workflows and make it easier for developers to build new applications.

   
   Example: Let's take a familiar example: a fast-food restaurant like McDonald's.

• The cashier system at the counter is one software program.
  

• The kitchen display system that shows what orders need to be prepared is another program.
  

An internal API would act as the communication channel between these two programs.

1. When a customer places an order, the cashier enters it into the counter system.
   

2. The cashier system uses the internal API to send the order details (burgers, fries, etc.) to the kitchen display system.
   

3. The kitchen display system receives the order information through the API and displays it for the cooks.
   

This way, the cashier system doesn't need to know the specifics of how the kitchen system works, and vice versa. They just need to interact through the defined interface of the internal API. This keeps things modular and efficient.

Here, the internal API helps in:

• Data sharing: Sharing order details between the cashier system and kitchen display.

• Efficiency: Simplifies the communication process and avoids complex custom code.

Here are some key points about internal APIs:

• Internal use: Unlike public APIs that anyone can access, internal APIs are only available to a company's developers.

• Data sharing: They are used to share data and functionality between different programs within a company. This can include things like customer information, product data, or order processing.

• Efficiency: By using internal APIs, developers can avoid duplicating code and data, which saves time and money.

• Security: Since they deal with potentially sensitive data, internal APIs are usually designed with security in mind to restrict access only to authorized users.
  

2. Partner APIs: Partner APIs are a type of API specifically designed for communication between a company and its strategic business partners. Unlike public APIs that anyone can access, partner APIs are more exclusive.

   Here's a breakdown of key points about partner APIs:

   • Selective access: They are not publicly available. Access is granted only to approved business partners after a specific onboarding process.

   • Strategic partnerships: They are used to facilitate deeper integrations and functionalities between a company and its partners' systems. This can involve various services like:
     

     • Payment processing

     • Inventory management

     • Data exchange

     • Embedding functionalities (e.g., an e-commerce platform allowing partners to embed product listings on their websites)

   • Security: Since partner APIs might deal with sensitive data, they often have stricter security measures in place compared to public APIs.
     

   Here are some real-world examples to illustrate partner APIs:
   

   • E-commerce platform: An e-commerce platform might provide a partner API for vendors to manage their product listings, track inventory levels, and fulfil orders directly through the platform.
     

   • Fintech company: A fintech company might offer a partner API for banks to integrate their services like account verification or payment processing into their mobile apps.
     

   • Social media platform: A social media platform might have a partner API for advertisers to manage their ad campaigns and track their performance.

   In essence, partner APIs are the building blocks for creating win-win situations between businesses. They allow for deeper collaboration, improved efficiency, and the creation of new integrated features for both companies and their partners.

   
   But wait, there's more! The fascinating world of APIs goes far beyond internal and partner APIs. In Part 2, we'll Dig deeper into the different flavours of APIs, including popular options like REST, SOAP, and GraphQL. We'll explore their unique characteristics and how they power the seamless interactions you experience in everyday apps.
   

   Stay tuned for Part 2 to become a true API specialist! don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter. To subscribe, simply click on the button below. Thank you!

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