For Those Who Never Know; What is an API?

For Those Who Never Know; What is an API?

When I need to learn what the API means years ago, I remember that I have read many articles on the internet in this regard, but I cannot fully visualize it in my mind.

In this article, for those who do not have the slightest idea, I will try to explain what the API is as simple as possible, with an example.

First, let's start with an ordinary world independent of the API.

Let's say we have an account on Twitter where we share a word every day. Also, let's imagine that we save the twits (mention) about this account in a file on our computer every day.

To make a twit every day, we enter the address section in the internet browser by typing “twitter.com”, we write the word in the relevant box and press the “title” button. Then it appears that the tweet was released.

Afterward, we write our account name in the search box for the twits in which our account is mentioned, copy the twits about me and copy them to our file.

In the transactions we have done so far, the website offered by the browser and twitter companies; we used twit sending and searching features on this site manually, and we accessed these features with keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

So what would it be like if we did all these operations (throwing a twit every day, searching twits) completely automatically? Is it possible?

It is possible with the API of Twitter. Twitter offers an API that includes the features it provides on the website and even more.

With this API, the actions you will take on Twitter can be programmed with software.

An application that will throw a twit for you every day and search and record the twits mentioned about you can be developed.

Now the opening of the API will make a little more sense; “Application Programming Interface”

Let's imagine the world where the API is.

With the Twitter API, the application coded to query it can share one of the concise words in the pre-prepared list for us every day, then search the twits about us and save them in a file. As long as the application is running, no additional manual work will be required.

Here we have seen an important benefit provided by an API. APIs provide automation opportunities, speeding up processes, and programming.