What is an API?
An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of functions that allows applications to access data and interact with external components. An API is essentially a courier that delivers messages from a client to a server and vice versa.
More About APIs
Your phone’s weather app is a perfect example of an API in action. The app obtains data from sources, such as The Weather Channel, via APIs.
APIs can work in four ways:
- Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) API. The client and server exchange messages using XML. This is a technique that was popular in the past.
- Remote Procedure Calls (RPC) API. The client completes a function on the server, and the server sends the output back to the client.
- Websocket API. A two-way communication between the client and the server, where the server sends callback messages to the client.
- Representational State Transfer (REST) API. The client sends a request to the server as data. The server then uses this data to complete internal functions and returns output data to the client. This is the most popular technique.
Special Offer
Custom Website Design
Get a one-of-a-kind, mobile-friendly website that makes your brand truly shine. Share your vision with us and we'll take it from there.
