An API, in technical terms, is a set of protocols and tools that enables different software applications to communicate and interact with each other. It defines the methods and data structures that developers can use to access specific functionalities or data from a software system, service, or library without needing to understand its internal implementation.
APIs typically operate over a network, often the internet, using a combination of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) requests and responses. The requesting application, known as the “client,” sends a request to the API, specifying the desired action and any required parameters. The API processes this request, interacts with the necessary components, and returns a response containing the requested data or the outcome of the action.
APIs can serve various purposes, such as retrieving data from a remote server (GET request), submitting data to be processed (POST request), updating existing data (PUT request), or deleting data (DELETE request). APIs are essential for enabling third-party developers to integrate their applications or services with existing platforms, creating a more interconnected and versatile software ecosystem.
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