Have you ever read someone else’s math work but not understand what you just read? Well in programming, similar things also happen. For example, where you read someone else’s code, you might not always understand what they are trying to do. This can drastically harm a project since you have no idea what to add and what to delete. In this situation, One would usually use an API.
Well, what is an API?
An API or Application Programming Interface is a way of creating code which makes it easier for a user to interface with it. Creating an API usually involves creating several communication methods which provide the user with building blocks to communicate with the software itself. This results in code that many individuals understand, allowing others to easily implement it.
Sometimes, the user can just utilize the code through the created methods, meaning they do not necessarily need to interact with the base code itself. For example, APIs include libraries, something used by almost every single programmer. Libraries involve a user importing certain pre-made functions so they do not need to program these functions themselves. This considerably shortens the development time for the software, saving time, effort, and in some cases, the programmer’s sanity. This also allows newer programmers to utilize higher level algorithms which they may not know how to create.
A common example of this is the ‘Math’ library used in languages like C and JAVA. The library itself allows the use of complex mathematical operations. Since many people use these operations, by importing the ‘Math’ library, they do not need to program their own math functions. This ultimately makes completing their task easier by getting rid of repetitive tasks.
Why is it important?
APIs represent a desire for mutual learning and the further development of technology. Through making your code easier to access, others can use it as well, ultimately adding to the general pool of knowledge and promoting the development of technology. That is why APIs are extremely important in the current programming community. Furthermore, that is why I find APIs incredibly useful. developers are not people who complete a task by themselves. Software requires a group of people working together to create something. Not everyone will know how your code is written but with the use of an API, others do not need to understand how it works to use it
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