Types of APIs
There are three basic forms of API –
1. WEB APIs
A Web API also called Web Services is an extensively used API over the web and can be easily accessed using the HTTP protocols. A Web application programming interface is an open-source interface and can be used by a large number of clients through their phones, tablets, or PCs.
2. LOCAL APIs
In this type of API, the programmers get the local middleware services. TAPI (Telephony Application Programming Interface), and .NET are common examples of Local APIs.
3. PROGRAM APIs
It makes a remote program appear to be local by making use of RPCs (Remote Procedural Calls). SOAP is a well-known example of this type of API.
Few other types of APIs:
- SOAP (SIMPLE OBJECT ACCESS PROTOCOL): It defines messages in XML format used by web applications to communicate with each other.
- REST (Representational State Transfer): It makes use of HTTP to GET, POST, PUT, or DELETE data. It is basically used to take advantage of the existing data.
- JSON-RPC: It uses JSON for data transfer and is a lightweight remote procedural call defining a few data structure types.
- XML-RPC: It is based on XML and uses HTTP for data transfer. This API is widely used to exchange information between two or more networks.
What is an API (Application Programming Interface)
Everyone is in search of the highest-paying job so as to get into it. And, in the list, the web developer has been on the top for years and will remain in the same place due to its demand. If you’re the one who’s looking to get into it. you must be aware of the most important terms used in it. Out of all the terms, API is yet another term that plays a very important role in building a website. Now, what is an API – (Application Programming Interface)?
To make you clear with the diagram of what is API, let’s take a real-life example of an API, you can think of an API as a waiter in a restaurant who listens to your order request, goes to the chef, takes the food items ordered and gets back to you with the order. Also, if you want to look for the working of an API with the example, here’s one. You’re searching for a course(let’s say DSA-Self Paced) on the XYZ website, you send a request(product search requested) through an API, and the database searches for the course and checks if it’s available, the API is responsible here to send your request to the database (in search of the course) and responds with the output(best DSA courses).
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