What is API Integration? Why is it important?

API Integration are methods and protocols that are connected to other libraries and applications in a system. It is thanks to APIs that data from this application can be connected and exchanged with other applications.

If you are interested in information surrounding API Integration, please follow along and follow upcoming content with AZCoin!

What is API Integration?

API Integration or the more complete name Application Programming Interface, these are the methods and protocols used to connect with other libraries and applications. In other words, API is an intermediary that allows two applications to communicate with each other in many different ways.

In its simplest form, an API uses only simple commands to allow one application to communicate with another application. Because of this simplicity, API is often used for devices with limited bandwidth such as smartphones, tablets,…

Interesting information for you is that APIs are not programming languages but more precisely regular functions or procedures. From these functions or procedures, people can use different programming languages to program them.

Some knowledge related to API Integration that you can read more about: Data Indexing, Encryption, RESTful API

How does the API work?

APIs operate in an architectural form between the server and the client. Depending on when and why they were created, their operations are specifically divided as follows:

API SOAP

API SOAP is API Integration that uses simple object access protocols with the server and client exchanging data information using XM.

This is an old type of API that was very commonly used in the past but has now been replaced due to its lack of flexibility.

API RPC

API RPC is API Integration that works by requiring clients to complete a function or procedure on the server to submit a request.

After the server receives the request from the client, it immediately sends the results. This process is fully called a remote procedure call.

API WebSocket

The API WebSocket is an API Integration that supports two-way communication between client and server applications through specialized JSON objects for data transfer.

This is a modern web API, considered somewhat more flexible than API REST thanks to the ability to send messages back to connected clients.

API REST

API REST is an API Integration that works by receiving request information in the form of data from the client. This data will then be used to start internal functions and return output data to the client.

The above operating process is considered to have the highest flexibility, making API REST the most popular type of API at present.

What is the API used for?

APIs are currently used for three main purposes:

• Web API: These are APIs used in website systems that allow users to connect, retrieve data or update their database with typical examples such as Solscan, Nansen,…
• API on the operating system: These are APIs capable of supporting programmers in creating software or applications with the ability to interact directly with the operating system. These APIs will often be provided with information in the form of specification documents from the operating system’s developers.
• APIs of software libraries or frameworks: APIs that describe and specify desired actions that libraries provide, often possessing many different implementation methods, thereby allowing programs written in this language libraries written in other languages can be used.

Why is API important?

From what we have learned so far, you probably have some idea why API Integration is so important. If not, let us summarize for you:

• APIs enable the automation of job management and updates, especially useful in large enterprises.
• API allows you to easily retrieve content from any website or application if allowed, thereby improving connectivity between businesses and also improving user experience.
• API always ensures real-time information updates, which is a premise that allows data to be transmitted better and more accurately.
• API uses an easy-to-use common standard that allows individuals, businesses, or organizations to use and customize according to their own needs.

Conclusion

So we have introduced to you the entire overview and easiest-to-understand content about the API Integration concept. Hope you find this content useful. In the future, we hope to see you again with other content from AZcoin.