Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

APIs

Vithu Mathi
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Vithu Mathi
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 3,474 Points
Posted by Vithu Mathi
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Vithu Mathi
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 3,474 Points

Hello TreeHouse Community, I'm having a hard time understand what an API is? Could anyone give me an explanation?

Hello TreeHouse Community, I'm having a hard time understand what an API is? Could anyone give me an explanation?

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,271 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,271 Points

:mailbox_with_mail: Hi, I got your request.

API stands for "Application Programming Interface". In the most general terms, an API is a set of clearly defined methods of communication between various software components. Essentially, "How software bits talk to each other."

A typical API is often related to some data or service provider and would be used by someone developing an application that uses that service or data. Some examples might be a library book catalog, live weather information, or a database on movies.

Does that clear it up?

Vithu Mathi
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Vithu Mathi
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 3,474 Points
Vithu Mathi
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Vithu Mathi
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 3,474 Points

Thank you, Steven, for the prompt reply.

I'm still bit confused, Could you please explain the library book catalog example bit more? in terms of API?

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,271 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,271 Points

I only meant that as a generic example of a service you might use. The API for such a service would describe how to make requests, such as searching for a specific title or author, and it would also describe how the response would be structured to contain things like publication dates and check-out status.

Some popular real API providers include Facebook, AccuWeather, flickr, and OMDB (Open Movie Database)..