API
What is it?
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a collection of definitions and protocols that lets different software applications communicate. It acts as an intermediary that sends requests from one application to another and returns the response. APIs make it possible to use functionality from other services without knowing their internal workings.
Practical example
When you open a weather app on your phone, it fetches current weather data through a weather service API. The app sends a request with your location and receives temperature, humidity, and forecasts in a structured format (usually JSON).
Test your knowledge
What is the primary function of an API?