API (Application Programming Interface) is an interface for programming applications that enables communication between different systems or applications, often used in integrating online stores with external platforms. API provides system functionalities or data such as databases or services that can be used by other applications.
Benefits of API:
1. Easy integration of various systems and applications, allowing automation of processes and improvement of work.
2. Saves time and resources since developers don’t have to create functionality that already exists in other systems.
3. Increases availability of data and services, as other applications can use them.
4. Improves security, as access to data and services is controlled by API.
5. Enables the development of application ecosystems, as developers can create new applications based on existing APIs.
In practice, API works as a “bridge” between an application and a system or database. The client application (e.g., web browser or mobile app) sends a request to API, which is processed by the API server. The API server then communicates with the system or database, retrieving or modifying data.
To use API, developers must obtain access to API documentation, which includes information on available methods, input parameters, and response formats. Developers can use programming languages such as Java, Python, or JavaScript to create a client application that interacts with API.
Example:
1. A mobile app needs weather information for a specific location. The mobile app sends a request to the weather API containing location information.
2. The weather API server receives the request and processes it, communicating with the weather system and retrieving relevant data.
3. The API server returns the response in JSON or XML format to the mobile app, containing current weather data for the specified location.
4. The mobile app uses this data to display weather information on the screen.
Thanks to API, the client application does not have direct access to the system or database, which improves security and access control.
API offers many benefits, including:
1. Integration: API allows easy connection of various systems and applications, enabling automation of processes and improvement of work.
2. Time and resource savings: Developers don’t need to create functionality that already exists in other systems, saving time and resources.
3. Data availability: API enables other applications to access data and services, increasing their availability.
4. Security: API allows control over access to data and services, improving security.
5. Application ecosystem development: API enables the creation of new applications based on existing APIs, helping to develop application ecosystems.
6. Monetization: Many companies offer their services through API, allowing them to monetize their data or services by sharing them with other companies or developers.
7. Scalability: API allows easy expansion of available functionalities and services, enabling scaling of applications with growing demand.
Types of API:
1. REST (Representational State Transfer) – a protocol based on HTTP that enables data transmission between different systems or applications. REST API is an application programming interface (API) that allows access to data or functionality using standard HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, DELETE. This enables various applications to communicate with each other, sharing and accessing data.
2. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) – a communication protocol used for transmitting data between different systems or applications. SOAP API is an application programming interface (API) that allows access to data or functionality using the SOAP protocol. SOAP API uses standard HTTP methods such as POST but transmits data in XML format, which is more complex and developed than JSON.
3. RPC (Remote Procedure Call) – a way of executing procedures remotely, connecting two processes running on different computers, allowing a procedure to be called on one of them and receiving the result. API type RPC is an application programming interface (API) that allows remote procedure calls via network. API type RPC are often used in communication between applications written in different programming languages.gRPC is a specific example of API type RPC that enables communication between applications written in different programming languages. gRPC is based on HTTP/2 protocol and enables the transmission of binary data, which allows for faster and more efficient communication.
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