If you’re interested in web development or curious about how websites and apps work behind the scenes, then you must have heard people talking about “API”. But have you ever wondered what an API is exactly? How does it work? And why does everyone in tech talk about it so much?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone! The word may sound confusing, but the idea is simple. In this blog, we’ll break down what an API is, how it connects different apps and websites to communicate with each other, and why it’s such an essential part of the digital world. No tech degree is needed – just your curiosity. Let’s make it super easy to understand, just like chatting with a friend. There are several companies known for API integration, and SGV SoftTech is one of the most recognized names in this field.
What Is an API?
An API is a messenger that facilitates communication between two apps, enabling them to exchange information quickly and securely.
Imagine you’re sitting at your favourite café. You check the menu, order your favourite coffee, and tell the waiter. The waiter then takes your order to the kitchen. Then, the kitchen makes your food, and the waiter brings it back to your table.
In this story, the API plays the role of the waiter!
It takes your order from you (the user) to the system (the kitchen) and returns with the result.
API stands for Application Programming Interface. It sounds like a big word, but the job is simple – it helps two different software systems communicate with each other.
Whenever you click a button in a mobile app, search for something on a website, or use Google Maps, an API is silently working behind the scenes to make everything run smoothly.
Why Are APIs Important?
1. APIs Save Time:
Imagine you’re building an app and want to add a login button or payment gateways. With the help of APIs, you don’t need to make everything from scratch. They can easily connect to other tools using APIs.
2. APIs Make Your App Smarter:
If you want to display or incorporate maps or live weather updates into your app, APIs make it easy to do so. You can connect your app with services like Google Maps, weather APIs, or payment systems, so you don’t have to build all of it yourself.
3. APIs Help Apps Work Together:
APIs are like bridges. Connect your app to many others simultaneously. For example, a travel booking app might utilise APIs to display flights, hotels, reviews, and payments from different services, all working together smoothly.
4. Improved User Experience:
APIs enhance apps and websites to work faster and provide a smoother user experience. APIs enable apps to offer more features without having to build everything from scratch. Assume you are hungry and order some food from an app that has a feature to see real-time updates of their delivery; it’s the API working behind the scenes. It helps me bring data faster from one system to another without delay.
Limitations of APIs
1. Dependency on External Services:
APIs connect your apps with other apps, but if the other app goes down or experiences an issue, your app also stops functioning.
2. Limited Access:
There are many APIs on the market with Limited Access, such as those that only allow 100 users per day for free. If your user exceeds the limit, the app stops functioning.
3. Security Risk:
If your app is not adequately protected, there is a high likelihood that hackers will attempt to steal data or exploit your app.
4. Cost:
If you want to build your APIs, you will need to hire developers, cover hosting costs, implement security features, and provide ongoing maintenance. All of these are too expensive, especially for small businesses or startups.
How APIs Work
- 1. You send a request
- For example, you click “show weather” in the app.
- 2. API, take your request
- The app uses an API to communicate with a weather service (like OpenWeather).
- 3. The server processes it.
- The weather service receives the request and sends the data (such as temperature, etc.).
- 4. API brings the response back
- API delivers this data back to your app.
- 5. You see the result
- Now, your app shows you today’s weather.
Types of API Architectures
1. REST (Representational State Transfer)
is a method for sharing information or communicating between two apps using standard HTTP methods, such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE, over the internet.
2. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol)
A communication method that enables two apps to exchange information using an XML format, typically over HTTP or other protocols. It adheres to strict rules and is commonly used in applications that require high security, such as banking or enterprise systems.
3. RPC (Remote Procedure Call):
This protocol enables one program to call a function on another machine, much like calling a local function. Let your app communicate with another app (server) to act, such as running a function, without worrying about the location of your computer.
Conclusion
In today’s digital world, APIs play a crucial role in every app you use. Whether you’re booking a flight, logging into an app with your Google account, checking the weather, or making an online payment, an API is silently working behind the scenes to make the process smooth and fast. Apis is quite famous for saving developers’ time and providing the reuse of existing tools and services rather than building everything from scratch. That makes development faster and wiser.
However, APIs also come with some limitations. If you connect your app with another app, but the other app goes down or experiences an issue, your app may also stop working. Some APIs have usage limits, and implementation errors can create security risks. That’s why it’s essential to choose the right API, follow good practices, and understand the basics of how APIs function.
