What is API?

API stands for Application Programming Interface. It is a set of rules, protocols, and tools that allow different software applications to communicate with each other. APIs define how software components should interact, enabling developers to access specific features or data from a service or application without having to understand its underlying code or implementation details.

APIs are commonly used in web development to enable interaction between different web services or applications. They allow developers to integrate functionality from other services into their own applications, creating more powerful and feature-rich software products.

There are different types of APIs, including:

1. Web APIs: These are APIs that are accessed over the internet using standard web protocols such as HTTP. Web APIs are commonly used to access data or services provided by remote servers, such as retrieving weather information from a weather service or posting updates to a social media platform.

2. Operating System APIs: These are APIs provided by operating systems that allow developers to interact with the underlying hardware and software resources of a computer or mobile device. Examples include APIs for file management, networking, and user interface elements.

3. Library APIs: These are APIs provided by software libraries or frameworks that allow developers to access pre-written code or functionality without having to implement it themselves. Library APIs are commonly used to simplify complex tasks or provide commonly used functionality, such as processing images or handling user input.