What is the full form of API?

The full form of API is the Application Program Interface. An API is a group of protocols, procedures, and software development tools. In essence, an API specifies exactly how software components should communicate. Additionally, when configuring GUI (graphical user interface) components, APIs are used. By providing all of the fundamental building parts, a strong API simplifies the process of creating a system. The blocks are then put together by a developer.

Various types of APIs

Different types of APIs are present in operating systems, applications, and websites. When someone copies and pastes text from one app to another, the API is what makes it possible. For instance, Windows has various API collections that are used by the device’s hardware and software. The top four categories of APIs are

• Public or open APIs – Such APIs are freely available and accessible to the public, and it is not limited.
• Partner APIs – These APIs are not publicly available. Therefore you need extra privileges or permits to use them.
• Private or Internal APIs – These APIs are usually intended for use within the company and can only be accessed via internal operations. An organization can use this form of API to develop its services and products throughout various internal units.
• Composite APIs – These APIs merge various Data and Service APIs. It is a series of tasks that operate as a result of implementation synchronously and not on a task request. The primary purpose of this type of API is to accelerate the instruction execution cycle and enhance user functionality on the web application.

Examples of APIs

Salesforce.com launched API at the IDG Demo 2000 event on February 7, 2000, at that time these were not publicly accessible. ProgrammableWeb, a platform that records over 15,500 APIs, lists of several the most famous APIs that are:

• Twitter APIs
• Google Maps APIs
• Flickr APIs
• YouTubeAPIs
• Amazon Brand advertisement APIs

Benefits of APIs

• APIs are of excellent use since they can insert requirements into the device without composing the full code themself.
• APIs can be prosecuted to access application data.
• APIs are valuable for device configuration and enhancement.
• These maintain a high speed of application functionality.

Limitations of APIs

• As a gateway, getting hacked is the most susceptible.
• If it has been hacked, other device apps are immediately vulnerable to attack.
• The system may crash while testing an API
• An API is complicated to manage.