An API stands for an application programming interface. It is a pipeline to get data easily from a server. There are many different types of APIs, however in this blog we will just focus on REST APIs.
An easy way to understand APIs is through the Request and Response Schema.
The user sends a URL request to the server, and then the raw data is returned (e.g. JSON, CSV, XML). For instance when you inspect a web page you can see this JSON code, here is an example of what the JSON may look like from an API.
Why use APIs?
APIs can aid with internal communication with data sources within an organisation. For instance, when working with third parties using an API allows control of data, creates specific requests, and integrates well with third-party services.