What is an API? Who can use it, what can you use it for, what does an API do to us? "Application Programming Interfaces", which are also known as APIs have actually been around for more than five decades. They are not a new concept to the world. However, they have transformed to become a hot topic in the recent past. Therefore, it will be useful for you to have a little bit of knowledge of API's and what they are capable of doing.
What exactly is an API (Application Programming Interface)?
In simple terms, an API is considered to give us users a broader digital experience. They help us get a lot of work done quicker by connecting different business software apps. Apps are developed by different companies obviously don't know each other. So an API gets in the middle to make a universal connection in between so two or more apps can talk to each other.
Their jobs include; managing rich marketing campaigns, streamlining internal operations and connecting mobile apps. Businesses don’t tend to think twice before they go ahead and invest money on an appropriate API strategy. It is a great investment that a business can do.
The Key Components of an API
API is made out of three primary components. To make things easier to understand, let’s take a look at the API with regards to an ATM, which you use to withdraw cash.
Application
An application is the first component of an API. When you go to an ATM to withdraw cash, you know that it will access your bank account and complete the banking transaction that you want to do. Similar to an ATM, an application will be providing this functionality. However, it cannot do all the work on its own. It needs to communicate with the bank as well as the user in order to get the job done.
An application is working with both inputs as well as outputs. A back end application, web application or a mobile application like a machine has got the ability to provide answers to a specific problem that you are dealing with. The front end applications are similar to the booking websites, which you use to reserve something. Likewise, you can also find backend applications, similar to server software.
Programming
The second key component of an Application programming interface is programming. The APIs provide an ability for the ATM machine to communicate along with the bank. Programming, which is also known as the engineering part of the application is capable of translating the input that you provide to the out.
You provide an input, saying that you need to get a specific amount of cash out of your bank account. This request will be sent to your bank's database and subsequently, permission will be granted. Then the ATM will communicate back to you and provide you with the cash you requested.
Interface
An interface defines the way how we are interacting along with a specific application. When it comes to the ATM, we are interacting with the keypad, ATM machine screen, and the cash slot. This is where the entire input and output scenario works. We are entering the pin number, indicate how much cash we are interested in withdrawing and go for the cash that is feeding out. The interfaces clearly explain the way how we communicate with a system. Therefore, it is a critical component in the Application programming interface.
Who Can Use an API?
Any person will be able to use an API. We are working along with a variety of systems in our day to day life. When we work with these systems, we are dealing with an Application programming interface. With the help of an API, we are all able to get our digital jobs done with minimum hassle. It helps us to communicate effectively within multiple numbers of systems.
APIs are widely used in social media. For example, Twitter API allows tweet/retweet features, Facebook Messenger sends and receive messages using its own API. YouTube Data API allows users to upload videos, leave/reply to comments. Similarly, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc. all use their own API to add posts (pins), pull user data and follow other users.
APIs allow you to connect email marketing service and a landing page. When a website visitor leaves their email address, the information will be sent to the marketer's email service account immediately and then the user will be opted in. Other connections such as webinars, WordPress account, e-commerce account; all these third-party apps can be implemented to a website.
For What Purposes Can You Use an API?
You will be able to use an Application programming interface for getting many different types of work done. Below mentioned are some of the most important applications that are linked with the APIs.
All the Application programming interfaces start with shared assets. It can include anything that a company needs to share. The information can either be within the teams, internally or externally. For all the asset sharing needs, an API can be used in an effective manner.
The Application programming interfaces are also in a position to act as a gateway to the servers. It can provide a clear point of entry to the audience. The developers will then be able to use the assets to develop software applications on their own. On the other hand, it can act similar to filtering the assets as well. Therefore, you can make sure that you don’t come up with the requirement to open the complete server and all the content in it to gain access to the outer world.
The immediate audience that you can see in an API will be the end user of an application. The developers will be using them to create apps or software around their assets. Moreover, the developers will also be using reusable software components, so that they can make sure that they don’t rework the work done previously. All the results that you can see in applications are connected to services and data. This can provide the ability for the apps to provide intelligent and richer experiences to the users.
APIs are increasingly replacing traditional websites and complex web systems in order to deliver safe, secure and fast ways to plug in, which creates advantages in many ways. In today's business environment, APIs have become a standard way to remain competitive.
