What is Application Programming Interface(API)?

Have you ever wondered how google drive syncs the files to your computer ,google maps provide you the data by processing your request or purchase products through e-commerce websites ?

The answer is API.

Application programming interface is an abstraction that specifies an interface through which software allows access to make use of services and resources to another software program. It facilitates interface between different software programs, similar to the way user interface provides interaction between user and the computer.

For example When you buy a product online from a e-commerce website and enter your credit card information the website uses an API to send your information to the payment gateway service provider that verifies whether your information is correct .Once confirmed, the payment gateway service provider sends response back to the website saying it's OK to buy the product .

For more Information about API please attend the Code Instruct workshops