What Are APIs, and How Do I Use Them?

 

What Are APIs, and How Do I Use Them?

APIs are a fundamental concept in modern web development, enabling different applications to communicate with each other.

• Definition: An API (Application Programming Interface) allows different software systems to communicate. RESTful APIs and GraphQL are common types.

• Why Use APIs?: APIs allow developers to integrate external services (like payment gateways, social media, or data services) into their applications without building these services from scratch.

• How to Use APIs: Beginners should learn how to make API requests using tools like Postman and understand HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and status codes.

• Conclusion: Understanding APIs is crucial for building modern, interconnected web applications.