API
Application Programming Interface — a set of rules allowing different software applications to communicate.
Also: Application Programming Interface
Definition
An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of defined rules and protocols that allow different software applications to communicate with each other. APIs define the methods and data formats that applications use to request and exchange information. They abstract underlying implementation details, enabling developers to use functionality without understanding internal workings. Types include REST APIs, SOAP APIs, GraphQL APIs, and library APIs. APIs are fundamental to modern software integration and the microservices paradigm.
Example
“A weather app uses a third-party weather API to retrieve current temperature data — sending a request and receiving a JSON response without building weather infrastructure itself.”
Synonyms
- interface
- application interface
- service contract
- integration endpoint
Images
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Related Terms
- rest
- graphql
- json
- microservices