An API is a set of tools for accessing web-based software applications, which can be language-dependent or language-neutral. APIs allow applications to work together and transfer responsibilities. Companies release APIs in SDKs and have policies for their release, including making them freely available to the public.
An application programming interface or API is a set of data structures, protocols, routines, and tools for accessing a web-based software application. It provides all the building blocks for developing programs with ease. An application programming interface can be language-dependent or language-neutral. A language-dependent API is only available in a particular programming language. Language-neutral APIs are not tied to a particular language, system, or process. They can be called from different programming languages.
The APIs run silently in the background. They are completely invisible to software users and web surfers. Their primary role is to provide a conduit for applications to work with each other to make sure that the user gets the required functionality and information.
For example, when a user purchases a product online and enters their credit card information, the product website uses an API to send the credit card information to another application. The application checks whether the information is correct or not. Then authorize the product website to issue the purchased product after the information is verified and the payment is confirmed. A website has many such applications that work together using APIs.
Application programming interfaces ensure that software developers don’t have to start building applications from scratch. It is not necessary to create an application that performs all functions. The application can transfer certain responsibilities to a remote application. Therefore, APIs are similar to SaaS (Software as a Service).
A software company releases its API to programmers in the form of a software development kit (SDK). The SDK includes programming tools, the application programming interface and release documents to facilitate the programmer’s work.
A company follows a few publishing policies before releasing APIs to developers, including:
Key information about an application programming interface cannot be released to anyone outside the company.
Companies must make APIs freely available to the public. For example, Microsoft® makes DirectX® and all of its APIs free for developers. They must download the SDK to access these components. Microsoft® has also made the Windows® API free for developers to build environment-consistent applications. Apple® also released its Carbon® and Cocoa® APIs for developers to create useful applications for iPhone.
A company protects information from the general public. For example, the PlayStation® 2 Official API was only released by Sony® to licensed PlayStation® developers. Thus, Sony® enjoyed total control over the quality of its games and enjoyed any licensing revenues.
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