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What is API and why it exists?

We all know our day-to-day applications like Google Chrome, Google Docs, Gmail. All of these applications have a so-called API (Application Programming Interface). Application Programming Interface is the way these applications can interact with each other. But why it exists and who is using it? It is used by other programmers and what is most important, APIs save a lot of time for programmers.
API usually consists of the following parts:
  • implementation of API: there can be a single product (for both end-users and programmers) or there can be a separate API product designed especially for programmers
  • documentation for this API (example)
  • source code samples to help software developers quickly learn how to use API for a different purpose (example)
  • technical support from developers who made this API. For example, provides technical support for all of its API products where you may ask for advice, extend the product’s functionality, etc.
APIs help programmers to build their software products faster and lets them focus on the main part of the product and main functionality.
Here is the list of APIs from some products and how they are used:
  • Google Chrome. By providing API other developers can build Chrome extensions (like Time Tracker for Chrome) and rely on the existing browser instead of creating a separate one.
  • Google Docs. Developers are using API from Google Docs to create popular plugins to modify text inside documents.
  • Gmail. Non-Google developers can create plugins integrated right into the Gmail mailbox and able to create plugins like Calculator that finds math expressions inside email or time tracker that allows them to record billable hours spent on e-mails.
  • PDF.co online service. This online service allows you to e-sign documents, parse invoices, use PDF tools but if you can also use its API and integrate these functions right inside your web application without knowing how it works internally.
API (Application Programming Interfaces) are very important as they are connecting applications between each other and allow programmers to quickly extend the functionality of popular software products.
   

About the Author

ByteScout Team ByteScout Team of Writers ByteScout has a team of professional writers proficient in different technical topics. We select the best writers to cover interesting and trending topics for our readers. We love developers and we hope our articles help you learn about programming and programmers.  
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