API stands for application programming interface. It is a set of routines, protocols, and tools that allows software applications to communicate with each other. APIs specify how different software components should interact and are used when programming graphical user interfaces. They make it easier for programmers to develop applications by providing reusable code blocks. APIs allow different applications to share data and functionality, enabling features like copying text between programs. There are APIs for operating systems, applications, and websites that enable important functions like copy/paste and allow developers to create specialized software solutions.

1. What is API

2. API stands for application program interface
An API is the interface implemented by an application which
allows other applications to communicate with it.
It is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building
software applications
The API specifies how software components should interact
and are used when programming graphical user interface
(GUI) components.
 A good API makes it easier to develop a program by
providing all the building blocks. A programmer then puts the
blocks together.

3. API's

4. Why Is It Needed?
 It is used for Communication
 Imagine Notepad couldn’t copy-paste to and from
Microsoft Word or Google Chrome
 Imagine having to type each and every time although the
text is already there in some other application.
 This is only one of the examples of communication
between applications and all this communication is made
possible via APIs.

5. Types of APIs
There are different types of API's used for different
purposes.
These are
 for operating systems
 for Applications
 for websites

6. Windows, for example, has many API sets that are used by
system hardware and applications
when you copy and paste text from one application to
another, it is the API that allows that to work.
Most operating environments, such as MS-Windows, provide
an API so that programmers can write applications consistent
with the operating environment.
Today, APIs are also specified by websites.
For example, Amazon or eBay APIs allow developers to use the
existing retail infrastructure to create specialized web stores.
Third-party software developers also use Web APIs to create
software solutions for end-users.

7. What Is It Really?
You cannot run an API like you would run say a Notepad
application. This is because APIs are generally invisible to the end
users like you and me.
APIs are carefully thought out pieces of code created by
programmers for their applications that allow other applications
to interact with their application.
APIs are specially crafted to expose only chosen functionality
and/or data while safeguarding other parts of the application
which provides the interface.
Creating an API is indeed time well spent, because ultimately the
more applications that interact with your application the more
popular it becomes.

8. Thanks for Watching
By
John pereless