We are already in the digital era where life runs on computer programs and applications. That is why there is a lot of growth and development around the Application Programming Interface (API) recently. APIs have been around for long, but it is only the other day that everyone started talking about them.
So, What Are APIs?
Simply put, an API a set of tools that are used to develop computer programs and define how these programs interact with each other. It makes it easy for software developers to build applications using certain technologies. There are several types of APIs, but web-based APIs have particularly become very popular in the recent periods as every business takes an online trend. Here are a few uses of these APIs.
They Allow Users to Interact with Websites & Apps
Without web-based APIs, we would not be doing the many things we do online. Let us give you a simple example. You are looking for an online business course from a university website. You provide all the required details and upload your academic certificates then click “search.” The site will interact with the API that provides results for available online courses, and you will be directed to the page with the courses you are looking for in seconds. An API thus acts as a messenger, connecting databases, applications, and devices. Apps and devices also communicate and interact seamlessly using APIs.
They Enhance User Experience on Applications or Websites
APIs work silently behind the scenes to make the interaction between software components possible. Irrespective of where you come from and which language you speak, an API will allow you to interact with a website or an application and get what you are looking for. For example, there is a calendar api that sync with google. This API allows you to integrate your application with Google Calendar. People use Google Calendar to keep track of their events. There is also the Google Maps API that allows you to embed Google Maps on your website. Do not also forget that it is an API that allows you to book a flight or order pizza online.
Some APIs Act as a Foundation for the Development of Other Apps
An API will allow you to build on a certain application to either improve it or come up with something entirely new. It lets you create applications whose core functionality depends on other applications. APIs, therefore, provide the building blocks of computer applications and programs.
They Also Define How Different People Use Your Website or Application
APIs decide who accesses your database and who does not. It specifies what different visitors to your website can do. For example, in a paid membership site, APIs decide what content is available to each level of membership. This way, they prevent unauthorized access of information and allows users to stick to their allowable levels of interaction with the website.
All said and done, the uses for APIs are limitless. Your creativity is the limiting factor here. An API can do wonders for you as long as it is developed by an expert and serves your needs. Therefore, if you want to enhance the engagement of visitors to your website, consider hiring professional API developers who will help you soar high like eagles.