Attend IT Blog

Attend IT Limited has been serving the Brentford area since 2003, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Getting to Know Technology: Application Programming Interface

Getting to Know Technology: Application Programming Interface

Software runs the world, or so they say, and it’s all thanks to the ability to integrate with one-another through the use of APIs. This tech term, which stands for application programming interface, and it’s crucial to understand what these do in today’s technology environment.

An application’s API is often a web-based interface that returns data, but the API is actually just the code that governs the access point or points for the server. All an API does is provide the ability to receive data from outside sources. Think of it as the door into the software.

The developer sees the API as a way for their software to communicate with other pieces of software. For example, a database that is accessed by your application might be structured outside of your development platform, meaning that you’ll need an API to allow developers a way to call the data from the database for use in your development platform.

In this way, developers use data from other applications in your favorite solutions, allowing for integration between them. One great example of how APIs work is how you can sign into your favorite news site using your Facebook or Google account. This is because the developer of the website uses the Facebook or Google API to give you access to the content.

It’s clear that APIs are extremely important for mobile application development. APIs are able to provide the following benefits to mobile application developers:

  • Accelerated app development: APIs give developers the ability to eliminate wasted time through building specific integration methods.
  • Increased app functionality: APIs provide access to data from other applications, allowing for enhanced functionality.
  • Improved application marketability: More integrations mean more usability in various markets, meaning that it will be more common and useful for more people.

This only scratches the surface of what an API is and does. What are some other tech terms that you’d like to see covered on our blog? Let us know in the comments.

Can Technology Work Against a Business?
Is Offering Remote Work a Benefit for Your Busines...
 

Mobile? Grab this Article!

Qr Code

Tag Cloud

Technology Security Business Computing Productivity Network Security Cloud Best Practices Tip of the Week Business Managed IT Services Data Data Backup Data Recovery IT Services Hackers IT Support Software Hosted Solutions Innovation communications Disaster Recovery Backup Privacy VoIP Cybersecurity Malware Mobile Devices Small Business Efficiency Internet Saving Money Email Hardware Business Continuity Computer Cloud Computing Business Management Phishing Collaboration Outsourced IT Microsoft BDR Automation Information Technology User Tips Ransomware Productivity Smartphones IT Support Compliance Internet of Things Users Workplace Tips Workplace Strategy Quick Tips Smartphone Server Artificial Intelligence Communication Upgrade Risk Management Wi-Fi Employee-Employer Relationship Mobile Device Management Managed Service Provider Network Managed IT Mobility Managed IT services Budget Training Spam Meetings Covid-19 Gadgets Passwords BYOD Google Save Money Wireless Password Mobile Device Networking Human Resources Remote Avoiding Downtime Document Management Android Printing Information Windows 7 Remote Workers Social Media Microsoft Office VPN Remote Computing Chrome History Hosted Solution Router Instant Messaging Encryption Firewall Content Filtering Computers Data Management Cost Management Windows 10 Project Management MSP Monitoring Managed Service Virtual Private Network Help Desk Time Management Remote Work Video Conferencing Laptop Marketing Recovery Telephone Systems Government End of Support Hacker Personal Information Hard Drives Solid State Drive Current Events Virtualization Battery Automobile Telephony Big Data Two-factor Authentication Audit Office Employer-Employee Relationship Value Saving Time Data Breach Data Storage Data Security Mobile Software as a Service Conferencing Redundancy Maintenance Devices Tech Term Proactive Computing Wireless Internet Hybrid Cloud Business Technology Printers IT Service Machine Learning Paperless Office Backup and Disaster Recovery Voice over Internet Protocol Mobile Office Manufacturing Customer Relationship Management AI Printer Managed Services Mobile Computing Proactive IT Social Engineering Transportation Going Green Browser Applications Private Cloud Operating System iPhone Health Windows Money Facebook Administration Colocation Windows 10 Advertising PDF Apps Legal Wireless Technology Flexibility Update Cybercrime Black Market Shadow IT Disaster Education Application Save Time Work/Life Balance Office 365 Antivirus Holiday Entertainment HIPAA Phone System Analytics Electronic Medical Records Cleaning Hacking Smart Technology Vendor Management Samsung Company Culture App SaaS Upgrades Vulnerability The Internet of Things Dark Web Nanotechnology OneNote Business Intelligence Managed IT Service Data Protection Commerce Regulation Professional Services Travel Word Apple User Error Data Loss File Sharing Storage Lifestyle Evernote Workers Spyware intranet Blockchain IoT Analysis Chromebook Smart Tech Connectivity Streaming Media Content Filter Management Financial Technology Gamification Students Unified Communications Remote Monitoring Wasting Money Amazon Virtual Assistant Alexa for Business WPA3 File Storage Bandwidth Vendor Telephone Utility Computing Payroll SMB Downtime E-Commerce Payment Cards Break/Fix e-waste Employees Smartwatch Development Azure Active Directory Windows Server Cybersecurty Window 10 Online Storage Fiber Optics Windows Server 2008 Copiers Voiceover Internet Protocol Business Telephone Computer Repair Troubleshooting CRM Workstations Outsource IT PCI DSS Regulations Compliance Cost Remote Working Leadership Bitcoin Finance Infrastructure Videoconferencing Streaming Customer Service Copier Authentication Hiring/Firing RMM Windows 11 Cabling Going Paperless Inventory Management Employer/Employee Relationships Outsourcing How To Microsoft Outlook Files Regulations Paperless Solutions Microsoft 365 Strategy Consulting Decision Making Ergonomics Signage Customer Experience Robot Google Drive Miscellaneous Alert Law Enforcement Reputation Social Relocation Search Internet Exlporer Text Messaging Office Tips HaaS Video Games Scalability Humor How To Best Practice USB Virtual Reality Managing Stress Point of Sale Identity Theft Worker Commute Politics Experience Music Books Safety Emergency Worker Scam Computer Accessories Charger Computer Care Unsupported Software Television Business Strategy WiFi Unified Threat Management Consultant Touchscreen Emails Webinar IT solutions Windows 10s Hard Disk Drive iOS Computer Fan Root Cause Analysis Augmented Reality CrashOverride Settings Screen Mirroring Cast HBO IT Management IT Solutions WIndows Server 2008 Patch Management Outlook Shortcut Excel Sync Adobe Licensing Tablets NFL Windows Ink Google Maps Google Docs Microsoft Excel Sports Cortana Legislation Comparison Specifications Sales Retail Gifts Credit Cards FAQ Wireless Charging WannaCry Updates Microsoft Word eWaste Device Security Tech Support Fraud Edge Ciminal IT budget Identities Language Virus Websites Data Theft App store Mobile Security Identity Data Privacy Hard Drive Google Assistant Twitter Computer Forensics Gmail PowerPoint Memory Financial Bring Your Own Device Testing Camera Projects Display Co-Managed Services Hyperlink Wasting Time Accessory Peripheral Access Control Admin Keyboard Shortcuts Security Cameras Employee 5G Medical IT YouTube OneDrive Sabotage PC Server Maintenance Investment ROI Windows Server 2008 R2 Micrsosoft Digital Signage Processor Benchmarks Myths Threats Scams Managed Services Provider Facebook Privacy eCommerce Holidays Inventory Communitications Hosted Desktop Smart Devices Keyboard Net Neutrality Internet Service Provider Workstation Telework Audits Solutions Policy Procedure Organization Innovations Reviews Biometrics Computer Tips Work Windows 8.1 Voice Supply Chain Environment Workplace Strategies Print Management Healthcare SSD Remote Management Telephone System Print Database 2FA Virtual Desktop Proactive Management eSignature Cyberattack Cameras Digital Cameras Mixed Reality Displays