{"id":9774,"date":"2024-01-17T07:56:41","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T12:56:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/faisalkhan.com\/?page_id=9774"},"modified":"2024-03-20T12:00:44","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T16:00:44","slug":"understanding-application-programming-interface-apis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/faisalkhan.com\/learn\/payments-wiki\/application-programming-interface-api\/understanding-application-programming-interface-apis\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Application Programming Interface (APIs)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
An Application Programming Interface (API)<\/strong> is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. It’s like a menu in a restaurant: the menu provides a list of dishes you can order, along with a description of each dish. When you specify which dish you want, the kitchen (the system) prepares the dish and serves it. In this analogy, the menu is the API, the order is the request, and the dish served to you is the response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The term “application programming” refers to the creation or development of applications, which are programs that perform specific tasks. The “interface” in API is a point of interaction. Therefore, an API is a way for different applications or parts of an application to interact with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n APIs are used in many aspects of software development and technology. Here are five examples, ranging from simple to complex:<\/p>\n\n\n\n APIs can be seen as a protocol because they define the rules for interaction between software components. They are not a language themselves, but they are used within programming languages to facilitate these interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To work with APIs, one doesn\u2019t necessarily have to learn a specific field or language. It’s more about understanding how to interact with the API using a programming language. This usually involves understanding how to make requests to the API and handle responses. Basic knowledge of programming concepts and internet communication protocols (like HTTP) is sufficient to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the financial world, APIs have numerous applications:<\/p>\n\n\n\n APIs play a crucial role in modern software development, acting as the backbone of communication between different software systems. Their usage spans from simple everyday applications to complex financial services, making them an integral part of today\u2019s digital world. Understanding and utilizing APIs can significantly enhance the capabilities and efficiency of software systems in various industries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Understanding Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) Definition An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. It’s like a menu in a restaurant: the menu provides a list of dishes you can order, along with a description of each dish. When you specify […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":9771,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"blocksy_meta":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","gb-block-post-grid-landscape":"","gb-block-post-grid-square":"","yarpp-thumbnail":""},"post_excerpt_stackable":" Understanding Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) Definition An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. It’s like a menu in a restaurant: the menu provides a list of dishes you can order, along with a description of each dish. When you specify which dish you want, the kitchen (the system) prepares the dish and serves it. In this analogy, the menu is the API, the order is the request, and the dish served to you is the response. Explanation The term “application programming” refers to the creation…<\/p>\n","category_list":"","author_info":{"name":"Faisal Khan","url":"https:\/\/faisalkhan.com\/author\/nomismad\/"},"comments_num":"0 comments","featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","gb-block-post-grid-landscape":"","gb-block-post-grid-square":"","yarpp-thumbnail":""},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":" Understanding Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) Definition An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. It’s like a menu in a restaurant: the menu provides a list of dishes you can order, along with a description of each dish. When you specify which dish you want, the kitchen (the system) prepares the dish and serves it. In this analogy, the menu is the API, the order is the request, and the dish served to you is the response. Explanation The term “application programming” refers to the creation…<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"","author_info_v2":{"name":"Faisal Khan","url":"https:\/\/faisalkhan.com\/author\/nomismad\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","yoast_head":"\nExplanation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Usage and Examples<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Is It a Protocol or Language?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Learning and Application<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
APIs in Financial Services<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Conclusion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n