Think about the last time you searched for something online. For instance, say you found an e-commerce site that offered several different options. Then, it asked if you wanted to narrow your search by color, category or price. Afterward, you then get a more refined list of items – say for a pair of pants.
When you do transactions like this, hundreds of them each year, probably, you don’t think much about the several pieces of software working together. You’ve just gotten used to it. However, the tech behind it is a powerful tool and a programming interface that can help improve the customer experience.
The name of that functionality is Application Programming Interfaces or APIs. It enables different groups of software to work and function together. It pulls information from one spot and gets it to another so they can “talk” and get you what you want.
Benefits of APIs for Business
In a nutshell, APIs allow developers to use software components built by third parties. As a result, they don’t have to invest their own time and resources.
One prominent example of APIs is Google Maps. Rarely will you find an online service with its proprietary map and location technology. Instead, developers integrate Google Maps within their applications.
Google has invested millions of dollars in refining and testing Google Maps and has made it available for a price. Therefore, it does not make sense to make that investment all over again in developing a brand new map tech when this one is readily available.
What Is an API and How Do They Work Infographic
An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of protocols and instructions that determine how two software components communicate. It’s like a contract that specifies how two software systems will interact.
Here’s an explanation of how APIs work:
- Request and Response: One application (the client) asks for some resource from another application (the server), and the server sends that resource to the client. This process is also known as the request-response cycle.
- Protocol: Computers follow a protocol, or a set of rules, to communicate with each other. On the web, HTTP protocol (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the standard for this communication.
- Information: The client needs to send information with the request so the server can respond accordingly. This information includes the URL (a web address where you want to make a request) and the Method (whether you want data already stored somewhere or want to save new data in a database).
APIs are crucial in software development as they facilitate data transfer, creating a connected experience. They allow the transmission of data from system to system. For example, when you search for a photo on a website, an API works behind the scenes to fetch the photo from the server and display it on your device.
There are different types of APIs, including Open APIs, Partner APIs, Internal APIs, Composite APIs, and Web Service APIs. Each type of API has its specific use and functionality.
Face Recognition and Audio to Text APIs
Here at Tech Business Guide, we have featured other examples of APIs:
- 7 Face Recognition Online Tools: A list of face recognition online software components and APIs allows developers to integrate those capabilities with their Apps and products seamlessly.
- 10 Audio to Text Online Converter Software: Most of the software services featured in this list offer APIs, allowing developers to integrate audio to text capabilities.
Face recognition and audio-to-text software components require a high degree of technical specialization for their development. Consequently, building them in-house might not be cost-effective for businesses.
Leverage the Power of APIs for Business
In today’s interconnected world, APIs for business are instrumental for success. That is to say that without them, companies couldn’t access and leverage the software capabilities already developed by others. Above all, they would have to commit time and resources to reinvent the wheel over and over again.
Have you explored the benefits of APIs for business in your organization? Share your experience and leave a c comment below.