Direct answer
What is API (Application Programming Interface)?
- Short definition
-
An API is a set of rules that allows different software applications to communicate with each other, defining how requests and responses should be structured.
- Why it matters
- APIs enable your software to integrate with other services, power mobile apps, and let third-parties build on your platform.
How teams use API (Application Programming Interface)
Use this term when you need to describe the practical role it plays in a software project.
Common use cases
- Mobile apps communicating with backend servers
- Integrating payment processors like Stripe
- Connecting third-party services to your platform
- Enabling data exchange between systems
Examples of API (Application Programming Interface)
These examples show the term in everyday product, platform, or operations work.
Real-world examples
- Stripe API processing payments in your web app
- Google Maps API showing locations in your application
- Your app sending customer data to Mailchimp via API