UNSUNG HERO OF OUR CONNECTED WORLD
Connectivity is an amazing thing by now. We're all used to the instant connectivity that puts the world at our fingertips from desktops or devices we can purchase post, pin, and pick anything anywhere. we are connected to the world and each other like never before But how does it happen? How does data get from here to there? How do different devices and applications connect with each other to allow us to place an order, make a reservation or book a flight with just a few types of things? The unsung hero of our connected world is the APPLICATION PROGRAM INTERFACE or API.
In a more standard way it can be explained as, "In computer programming, an application programming interface (API) is a set of subroutine definitions, protocols, and tools for building application software. In general terms, it is a set of clearly defined methods of communication between various software components".
It is correctly defined, but still, the meaning is not much clear. So let’s understand it with the help of one small example.
Consider an API as a waiter in a restaurant. Suppose you have a menu of your favorite food and the kitchen is the system where your order is made. But how do you take your order to the kitchen? Correct, you call a waiter, give him/her the order, which in turn takes your order till the kitchen and then your order is made there and then finally, the waiter comes back with your delicious ordered food.
Thus, the API is very much similar to the waiter. API is the messenger that takes your order(waiter) and tells the system(kitchen) what to do (to prepare food) and in return gives back the response you asked for (waiter returns with the ordered food).
Now, I hope that you got something about API.
This is a reference Blog