API stands for Application programming interface which is a set of programming instructions and standards accessing a Web-based software application. API’s are used by developers to access services and resources by other pieces of software that is published through a company’s API. Using the API software of other companies allows access to the functionality of the API’s product and can be used as a further implementation of a developer’s software. API connects two programs by creating a communication between them.

It is a software-to-software interface that allow for separate parties to talk to each other without any previous user knowledge or intervention. All processes are invisible to the software user as they run silently on the background [1].

Companies who release their API often do so as part of a larger software development kit (SDK) that includes the API, programming tools and other instructional documents to make the developer’s job easier.

Social media networking such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are just a couple of companies that have published their own APIs and are widely used.

[2] Ignitesocialmedia.com, ’10 APIs for Social Media Marketing Campaigns – Ignite Social Media’, 2015. [Online]. Available: http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/social-media-tools/top-apis-for-social-media-marketing-campaigns/. [Accessed: 29- April- 2015].

References

[1]D. Roos, ‘What is an API? – HowStuffWorks’, HowStuffWorks, 2015. [Online]. Available: http://money.howstuffworks.com/business-communications/how-to-leverage-an-api-for-conferencing1.htm. [Accessed: 29- April- 2015].