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An application program interface (API) allows computer programs to communicate directly with each other. Many software companies release their APIs to the public. APIs are not user interfaces, but software-to-software interfaces. APIs are similar to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). APIs have become an integral part of the Web 2.0 and social networking phenomenon. Several popular communities use it to share content in an open architecture. APIs are provided by several big names, including Amazon, eBay, and Google.
Often referred to as an application programming interface or simple API, an application program interface is a collection of programming instructions and standards that allow computer programs to communicate directly with each other. Many software companies release their APIs to the public and allow developers to build applications based on their service. A perfect example would be Microsoft’s DirectX, a set of APIs that allow developers to build games, multimedia features, and applications for the Windows operating system.
The interface of an application program is not a user interface, but a software-to-software interface. In fact, it allows programs to communicate with each other without any user knowledge or intervention. For example, when you buy concert tickets online with a credit card, the website uses an API to send your card information to a remote application which verifies its validity. Once the payment has been confirmed, the application responds to the site, giving it the ok to issue the tickets.
Application program interfaces designed to provide the fastest execution usually contain sets of procedures, functions, variables, and data structures. A complete API is often defined as one that provides a level of abstraction that prevents the developer from knowing how its function is related to lower levels of abstraction. This allows the programmer to enhance or redesign functions within the API without breaking the code that needs it.
An application program interface is quite similar to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). This is mainly because programmers don’t have to start over every time they write an application. Rather than scripting a basic program designed to handle everything, that same program can outsource certain responsibilities to other applications that can do the job much better. This makes the API very useful for integrating with a website and various web applications.
The application program interface has become an integral part of the Web 2.0 and social networking phenomenon. Several popular communities use it to share content in an open architecture. Users can share comments, photos, videos and all kinds of information with external applications, using an open API to provide new features to their community. Two classic examples of APIs that enable this sharing are the Facebook Application Platform and the Open Social Platform.
Application programming interfaces are provided by several big names, including Amazon®, eBay® and Google. If developed precisely and used correctly, they can benefit both the company providing the service and its users. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of APIs is that they are dependent on the service it provides. For example, if Google Maps were to be discontinued, its application program interface would be essentially useless.
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