What is an API? A Simpler Explanation for Beginners
If you’ve ever wondered, “What is an API? but still don’t understand it even when other people explains it, you’re not alone. APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) powers everything from weather apps to Instagram logins.
In this posts, I’ll explain APIs in simpler terms for you, there will be a few real-life examples you’ve already used that you might not noticed.
Here’s the content:
What is an API?
An API is like a restaurant waiter:
You (the customer): Ask for a meal (request data).
The waiter (API): Takes your order to the kitchen (server).
The kitchen (system): Prepares your food (processes the request).
The waiter: Brings your meal back (delivers the response).
APIs do the same for software, they’re middlemen that let apps communicate without exposing their secret recipes (code).
Why Are APIs Important?
In our daily life, we keep on using the APIs just to get new updates about what is going on in the world.
Without APIs, technology would be:
Slower
Developers would have spend more time on building the functionality from scratch. This way will requires more resources and not cost effiicient. Everything will takes longer.
Example:
Imagine a Grab app had to build their own maps from scratch, that would mean they would be wasting time, spending higher cost and might end up with inconsistent navigation across apps.
Security Risks
Without APIs, logging into apps would be dangerous. For example:
If Spotify asked for your Facebook password directly, you’d have to trust them with it (big risk!).
A data breach at Spotify would expose your Facebook login.
What do We Learn?
APIs are faster, safer and smarter tech when it comes to developing a system,application, etc.
- Save time: No reinventing the wheel (like maps or payments).
- Boost security: No sharing passwords just secure tokens.
- Enable innovation: Apps focus on their core features while APIs handle the rest.
Even this blog uses APIs! The social share buttons (LinkedIn, Facebook), rely on their APIs to let you post with one click.
