We do talk about them a lot ... but what are API links really? And why are they of great value to Web sites and Web applications?
API stands for Application Programming Interface. This is a set of definitions, protocols and tools that allow software applications to communicate with each other and exchange data. In simple terms, API links act as bridges between different systems, allowing them to work together as one integrated unit. This is similar to the way a waiter acts as an intermediary between guests and the kitchen in a restaurant.
Imagine a busy restaurant, guests want to place their orders and the kitchen starts preparing orders. The waiter plays a crucial role in this process. He takes the guests' orders, transfers them to the kitchen, communicates any special requests and finally serves the delicious dish to the guests.
In this context, the waiter is like an API. He translates the guests' requests into the language the kitchen understands. The kitchen prepares the food and returns it to the waiter, who then serves it to the guests. The waiter acts as the seamless link between the dining room and the kitchen, just as API links can transfer data seamlessly between different software applications.
API links have numerous practical applications. For example, they can:
Some of the common API links we regularly implement include:
We love thinking about links between systems together!
