API is an intermediary connection method that helps developers speed up the project completion process and improve their work efficiency.
What is the API?
Almost every technology application for human life in today's 4.0 era has the appearance and “contribution” of API.
So, it can be said that, once working in the field of programming, whether it is Frontend or Backend, all developers are “in contact” with APIs regularly.
API is also known as “Application Programming Interface”, in which:
- “Application” refers to every software with distinct functionality.
- “Interface” can be understood as a service contract between 2 applications, defining how they connect to each other through requests and responses.
This is an intermediate communication mechanism consisting of a set of definitions and procedures that allows 2 different applications - libraries components to connect, share information back and forth.
It provides access to a set of commonly used functions and from there, data exchange between applications can be performed.
Using API will help developers speed up the project completion process and bring high efficiency in work.
Currently, APIs are built must ensure compliance with REST and HTTP standards, making it easier for developers to access.
What are advantages of the API?
Here are some outstanding advantages of the API:
- It is an open source tool.
- Used on all desktop, web and mobile applications.
- Connect anywhere with just the internet.
- As one of the best architectures for devices with limited bandwidth such as smartphones, tablets...
- Simple configuration.
- Provides reliable information because two-way communication is required to be confirmed in transactions using the API.
- Works with any client that supports XML and JSON.
- Flexibility with different data formats when returning to the client.
- Capable of fully responding to HTTP components (URI, request/response header, caching, versioning, content format...).
- Fully supports RESTful methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE… data.
- Allows building HTTP services quickly, making programming simpler.
- Provide a user-friendly experience.
What is the API used for?
APIs are often applied in the following practical cases:
Web API
This is a collection of APIs that are used in the big website system such as Google and Facebook…
In fact, almost every website uses an API that allows you to connect to, get or update a database.
For example, when building login functionality through Google and Facebook… for your project, you are calling their API.
Most Web APIs are designed based on RESTful standards.
APIs on operating system
Linux or Windows also have a lot of APIs.
They provide API documentation that specifies functions, definitions and connection protocols... to help developers create software - applications that can interact directly with the operating system.
API of software library (framework)
This API will describe and specify the desired actions that the library provides.
An API can be implemented in many different ways.
Besides, it also helps a program written in one language be able to apply other libraries.
