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What is the full form of API?

Full form of API: Here, we are going to learn about the API, its full form, usages, advantages, drawbacks and API examples. By Anushree Goswami Last updated : March 26, 2024

API: Application Programming Interface

API is an abbreviation of the Application Programming Interface. It is a collection of patterns, procedures, protocols, and tools for constructing software and applications. The various systems such as a web-based system, operating system or a database system may be categories of API. By using the graphical user interface or command interface like APIs, a programmer can put in an application to the Operating System by writing a code for the application program.

API Usage

• API in Procedural languages:
  In accomplishing a task, it aids through stating collections of operations, patterns, and procedures.
• API in object-oriented languages:
  It is conveyed as a collection of classes with a corresponding list of class Methods which clearly displays how in a specified Object-Oriented language an Object work.
• API in libraries and Frameworks:
  It is corresponding to Software libraries and Software Framework.
• API and Protocols:
  It can be a protocol execution.
• API sharing and reuse via virtual machine:
  Languages that are operating on virtual machines can contribute a share of an API.
• API Designs:
  In the planning of APIs, various concepts are used. The abstraction of details, facts and figures hiding is the one in many techniques. This technique of data abstraction works on the concept that the modules with the stated interface can be originated through the classification of software.
  Software architecture is a further concept that is used to design, generate and preserve excessive extent software frameworks. It adds further new competence and proficiencies to everything from their functioning operations and outcomes to their policies and procedures.

API Advantages

• Through automation, computer systems comparatively can organize the work than people.
• It makes the distribution of services and information more resilient, through access to the application and its features.
• It permits content to be placed and fixed from any website or application more effortlessly.
• Any user or company can modify according to their preference the content and services that they utilize and operate the most through APIs.

API Drawback

• Making available for use of an API is costly in terms of development time, ongoing maintenance, etc.
• In case of the security vulnerability, including an API append an additional attack apparent to the user's website.
• It can crash the system during testing. So, maintenance is much needed frequently.
• The steep learning curve to understand the programming process of an API.

APIs Examples

The most traffic containing APIs examples are,

• YouTube API
• Twitter API
• Google API
• Amazon Product Advertising API
• Flickr API