Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have become indispensable across various industries, including banking, marketing, and digital sectors. The development of APIs continues to grow alongside the increasing volume of data to be processed. But what exactly are we talking about, and what purpose do they serve?
An API, which stands for Application Programming Interface, is a program that enables two separate applications to communicate with each other and exchange data. This prevents the need to recreate or entirely redevelop an application to incorporate new information. For instance, it serves as the bridge between existing data and an independent program.
What is a programming interface?
Programming interfaces allow two software applications to communicate with each other and exchange data reciprocally, regardless of the programming language used.
APIs serve as gateways into software that doesn’t belong to you.
Developers no longer need to have an in-depth understanding of the program they want to utilize; they can simply develop an Application Programming Interface to access the program.
What is the purpose of an API?
Unknown to the general public and invisible when browsing the internet or using a mobile application, APIs have become essential for businesses.
Serving as intermediaries between two independent computer systems, APIs facilitate the exchange of data or functionality both within and outside of companies.
In the era of open data and the digitalization of society, programming interfaces are at the heart of how the web operates. For example, consider a weather application. It’s not the application itself that fetches and analyzes weather information to transmit to you; rather, it’s an API that connects to the database containing this information and displays it in your application.
APIs offer numerous advantages for both users and providers:
– Users can integrate program functionalities into their applications or websites.
– Providers can make changes to their program without affecting users’ access to functionalities.
More and more companies, such as Mastercard, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, SNCF, are providing their APIs, either entirely for free or in exchange for compensation.
What are the applications of APIs?
They are everywhere and used in daily life. For instance, if you want to integrate a Google Map on your website, you would use a Google Maps API provided by the American giant. Similarly, to include a Facebook Like button, you would utilize the Facebook Graph API. Another possible application is when you visit a price comparison website; an API retrieves information from various sources and presents it on the site or application you’re using.
The applications are numerous and endless: online payments, booking websites, checking transport schedules, weather updates, displaying local businesses, accessing bank accounts, and more.
Indeed, APIs are a significant time-saver for developers because they can be implemented quickly due to their interoperability and generic programming language.
What are the different types of APIs?
There are two main categories of APIs: public APIs, also known as open APIs, and private APIs, referred to as enterprise APIs. Secure APIs have an authentication key provided by an authentication and authorization service.
Due to the wide variety of client applications, APIs need to rely on a communication protocol, either SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) or REST (Representational State Transfer), to be compatible with various mobile platforms, including Windows, Apple, or Android applications. RESTful APIs are the most commonly used today as they offer greater flexibility.
What does the future hold for APIs?
Application Programming Interfaces are here to stay. They enable companies to modernize their information systems by optimizing their tool architecture and reducing development costs. They also make companies more responsive and adaptable to digital changes. By allowing the sharing of data with external users or clients, APIs simplify and expand partnerships and can monetize certain data, generating revenue.
Interested in learning how to develop APIs? Our ML engineer training is designed for you!
