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Ruby

nishantr
nishantr
6,326 Points
Posted by nishantr
nishantr
6,326 Points

what exactly is an "API".

I know it is an application programming interface, but how do you explain it to a person with minimum knowledge of programming and haven't programmed before? and how the API syntax looks like?

3 Answers

Allison Hanna
Allison Hanna
36,222 Points
Allison Hanna
Allison Hanna
36,222 Points

An API is an application programming interface. "In computer programming, an application programming interface (API) is a set of routine definitions, protocols, and tools for building software and applications." It's a bit of a broad topic. In one sense, it's a way to interface applications to each other, getting information from one to use in another. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_programming_interface

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,261 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,261 Points

:point_right: An API is essentially a specification for how software components will interact.

This specification may include routines and/or protocols and/or tools. Syntax will be part of the protocol specification and will differ with each API.