Who is this API guy?

Who is this API guy? Is API a friend? You will be surprised to know API's occupation.

Well! I was so confused for so long hearing people talking about an API, and found it hard to understand, I want to make it easy for others who are facing the same issue right now or might face in future. So here I present an easy understanding of computers and their backend secrets. We all know, we make clicks on our computer, and it fetches us any information doesn’t matter we are online or offline.

But did you wonder how it is happening that you press buttons and it provides you with information? Let’s jump into the know secrets. Whenever you make click on one end, the information is being directed to the source you need information from. SENT? HOW? Here comes our friend who does this for us API. API carries a query to the source or database and then brings back the information to us. It has been your friend since day one you touched the computer.

API: API stands for Application Programming Interface and works as a bridge between different software programs to talk to each other.

Online

Let’s have a common example of Instagram: When we open Instagram, the recent feed appears in rthe ight order. Behind the scenes:

As you opened, An API call is being made to send a request to Instagram backend. API calls says: "Hey I am Supriya, show me the latest post from people I know".

In Ins”

In the Instagram server, the request is being processed,

• Authenticates you

• Pull your personalised feed

• Format it as JSON (data format)

• Send it back via API and display it on your screen.

Offline

Those API that work offline are referred to as Local API. Suppose your mobile app, like Instagram, wants to open the camera. It doesn't build a camera itself. It calls a local API provided by the operating system (iOS/Android). The API sends a request to the phone’s camera service, captures the image, and returns it. No internet is needed. It’s a local API.

Without an API, your app wouldn’t know how to talk to the database at all. API facilitates communication between your app and the database.

Learn a bit but every day! Happy learning :D