Understanding APIs

What is an API?

API stands for Application Programming Interface. It allows software applications to communicate with one another.

One system will send a request through an API which then returns a response from/or to another system Responses may be a form of functionality or a set of data.

What can you do with an API?

APIs can be used to automate tasks; finance, weather, and sports data may change daily to hourly. APIs can fetch this data so that you may manipulate, analyze, or log for personal or professional use.