Types of APIs
There are many types of APIs, one of the most common types are Web APIs, these APIs, otherwise known as Web Services, provide an interface for web applications, or applications that need to connect to each other via the Internet to communicate. APIs are in many sizes and shapes.
APIs are used for all kinds of other reasons. For example, if you’ve ever seen a Google Maps object embedded on a website, that website is using the Google Maps API to embed that map. Google exposes APIs like this to web developers, who can then use the APIs to plop complex objects right on their website.
APIs stands for Application Programming Interface, and basically it represents the set of programming instructions and standards that allows one piece of software to communicate with and access the resources and services of another.
Facebook API – Facebook has over a billion active monthly users but it is not only the biggest social network worldwide. Facebook Graph API is the core of Facebook Platform and is designed to provide access to every object in Facebook’s database, including users, photos, videos, statuses, conversations, places and interlinked relationships with each other. Developers who log in to the Graph API can use data to create a deeper, personalized experience with each other.
Google + API – this is the programming interface to Google+. You can use the API to integrate your app or website with Google+. This enables users to connect with each other for maximum engagement using Google+ features from within your application. Google first started testing its API for the search engine in 2002, enabling up to 1000 automated searches. It has since released numerous APIs relating to various areas such as Google Maps, Google Wallet, and the Chrome web browser.
As the API economy continues to grow, more and more companies look to open up their APIs in order to extend their own brand’s reach.
We hope you enjoy our articles, next time will continue to develop our knowledge about different types of APIs. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
TCO team
