What is an API, explained simply?
Quick answer: An application programming interface is a published agreement for how software can request data or trigger an action in other software.
An application programming interface is a published agreement for how software can request data or trigger an action in other software.
- A client sends a request to a documented endpoint.
- The request includes a method, parameters, and sometimes credentials.
- The service validates the request and performs the allowed work.
- It returns a status and structured response, commonly JSON.
Good to know: APIs expose selected capabilities, not the service’s private source code or database.
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