In building applications, an API simplifies programming by abstracting the underlying implementation and only exposing objects or actions the developer needs. While a graphical interface for an email client might provide a user with … See more

The term API initially described an interface only for end-user-facing programs, known as application programs. This origin is still reflected in the name "application … See more

The design of an API has a significant impact on its usage. First of all, the design of programming interfaces represents an important part of software architecture, the organization of a complex piece of software. The principle of information hiding describes … See more

API documentation describes the services an API offers and how to use those services, aiming to cover everything a client would need to know for practical purposes. See more

Libraries and frameworks
The interface to a software library is one type of API. The API describes and prescribes the "expected behavior" (a specification) while the library is an "actual implementation" of this set of rules.
A single API can … See more

API security is very critical when developing a public facing API. Common threats include SQL injection, Denial-of-service attack (DoS), … See more

APIs are one of the more common ways technology companies integrate. Those that provide and use APIs are considered as being members of a business ecosystem.
The main policies for releasing an API are:
• Private: … See more