API (Application Programming Interface)

API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of protocols, routines, and tools for building software applications. APIs allow different software systems to communicate with each other by providing a common interface.

APIs work by exposing certain functions and allowing other applications to access those functions through a defined set of requests and responses. For example, a weather API might provide current temperature and forecast data to other applications. Those applications can send a request to the API and receive a response in a standardized format like JSON or XML. APIs also often require an authentication key or token to control access. Overall, APIs simplify development by abstracting away complex backend implementations. Developers can tap into powerful capabilities by just making API calls instead of having to build everything from scratch. APIs are essential for modern cloud native architectures, enabling services to be developed, deployed and scaled independently while still working together.