API (Application Programming Interface)

An Application Programming Interface, or API, is a set of rules and options that let different software programs talk to each other and share information. APIs provide a way for one program to request specific services or data from another program, whether it's asking for weather updates, sending messages, or accessing a social media profile. Imagine you have a smartphone app for weather updates. The app doesn't create its own weather information; instead, it uses an API to ask a weather service for the latest forecasts. The API takes the app's request and brings back the requested data. In short, APIs are like bridges that connect different software, allowing them to work together and share data seamlessly.