ELI5: api
// explanation
What is an API?
An API is like a messenger between different apps on your phone or computer [1][2]. Just like you give an order to a waiter and they bring you food from the kitchen without you needing to cook it, an API lets one program ask another program to do something for it [1][3].
Why do we need APIs?
APIs let different software programs talk to each other and share information [2][4]. Without APIs, every app would have to do everything itself, which would take forever and make programs really big and complicated [3].
What does an API actually do?
An API is like a set of instructions that tells software how to ask for help from other software [4][5]. When you use your phone to check the weather, the weather app is using an API to ask the internet for weather information [1].
How do you use an API?
You don't really "use" an API directly—programs use them for you [3]. Your apps use APIs all the time to share information and make things work together without you knowing it [1][2].
// sources
Aug 6, 2024 ... An API is like a messenger between different software applications. It allows them to communicate, share data, and work together seamlessly, ...
APIs are mechanisms that enable two software components to communicate with each other using a set of definitions and protocols.
Aug 6, 2023 ... An api is a ready made tool, application, collection of tools that allow you do some things without having to worry of how that thing is done.
An API is a set of rules or protocols that enables software applications to communicate with each other to exchange data, features and functionality.
An API, which stands for application programming interface, is a set of protocols that enable different software components to communicate and transfer data.
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