What is an API (Application Programming Interface) and how to use it

An API is the way in which an application interacts with another through codes.

What does it mean?

First let’s break down the meaning of the acronym API: Application Programming Interface.

Now, let’s get down to business.

An API can accelerate a process that is maybe too tedious and too expensive.

How? With an API it is possible to connect an operating system with a database or online platform. It’s almost like a bridge to connect different elements that will help to make a process faster and more extensive for a brand.

It is important to note that APIs are not visible to the user. There may be communications between different applications but those using them will not be aware of what may be going on between them.

So, if the customer is finalising a purchase online, the page they are using for that payment may be communicating through an API with the bank’s page accepting the transaction. However, the person carrying out the purchase only sees the same page from the same company. In reality, there may be several applications or web pages communicating with one another in that moment.

To conclude, APIs simplify the large majority of work for a programmer, as they don’t have to write code from scratch. This allows the programmer to use predefined functions to interact with the operating system or with another program.