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Application Programming Interface (API)

What does application programming interface (API) mean?

An application programming interface (API) is a special interface that allows programs to communicate with each other to perform various functions. An API can consist of a series of commands and protocols that provide a program to call another application. With an API, developers can create programs that can use external services such as databases and software libraries.

APIs are a set of rules in computer programming that allow an application to extract information from a service and use that information either in its own application or in data analysis. An API literally “calls” an application and receives information that it can use in the software. APIs simplify the data needed to solve customer problems.