What is Application programming interface?
An '''application programming interface''' (API) is a set of functions, procedures, methods or classes used by [[computer programs]] to request services from the [[operating system]], software libraries or any other service providers running on the computer. A [[computer programmer]] uses the API to make [[computer software|application programs]]. An '''[https://www.suffescom.com/blog/third-party-api-integration-service API works]''' <ref>{{Cite web|last=Rajdeep|first=Singh|date=2022-07-23|title=How API Integration Works?|url=https://www.suffescom.com/blog/third-party-api-integration-service|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122074120/https://www.suffescom.com/blog/third-party-api-integration-service|archive-date=2024-11-22|access-date=2024-11-22|website=Suffescom|language=en}}</ref> by communicating with and exchanging data with other systems, acting as a messenger between the user and the system to retrieve the necessary data the user is requesting from the system. Main types of web APIs:<ref>{{Cite web|last=Defranchi|first=Lydia|date=2024-03-28|title=Different types of APIs explained: styles, protocols, audiences + real-life examples|url=https://blog.axway.com/learning-center/apis/basics/different-types-apis|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817220302/https://blog.axway.com/learning-center/apis/basics/different-types-apis|archive-date=2022-08-17|access-date=2020-04-30|website=Axway Software|language=en}}</ref> * Open APIs - available to the public; they can be accessed by any external users. * Partner APIs - available to strategic business partners; they are exposed to a public API developer portal. * Internal APIs - available to a company's internal development teams; they are exposed to a private API developer portal. * Composite APIs - are a sequence of tasks bundled into a single API call. Types of API include [[web services]] API like the [[Twitter]] API, which allows programs to use the API to receive updates on tweets. ==References== {{reflist}