What is API Integration?

API Integration ( Application Programming Interface ) can be defined as a flow of processes without any hindrance. API creates interaction between data, applications, and devices. Basically, an API  connects devices and programs by creating a seamless flow of data & information between them.

API can be closely related to the application. In layman’s language, what API does is it create an interface between an external APP & backend of your website. With API Integration you can easily handle the App from the backend of your website.

A very Good Example of API Integration is apps like Swiggy. They have integrated Google Maps API into there Application. So a user can see the location of the Restaurant on the App itself. And this process can be achieved with very little coding effort.

We are going to discuss in detail how API Integration Works, What API types are there, Most useful API and much more in our later posts.

But before we dig deep into API Integration !!!

What is an API ??

Well, the official definition as per Wikipedia is :

“A set of subroutine definitions, protocols, and tools for building application software. In general terms, it is a set of clearly defined methods of communication between various software components.”

But what does this really mean?

API act like an Interface that allows your app or website to interact with an external service in a very simple way. It is estimated that more than one million APIs are in use at present.

API integration stands as the most important integration of your app to an external service to use their tools & services. Most of Service agencies have their APIs so that any website could integrate with their services easily.

The most common example of an API as payment gateways, social media logins to your app, etc. When you add a payment gateway to your website you are basically using the API of an external agency to receive payment on your website.

Some huge services that provide their APIs to Integrate with your websites are Google Map, Whatsapp, Facebook API  & many more.

Why API Integrations Are Important?

It’s very important to have each application properly connected to your backend so you can push updated data easily to your application. But is that it with API Integration?

Well no, In this case, API integration ensures that there is data integrity across the stack so there is no issue at all related to versioning.

So basically to ensure the flawless flow of data for your end-user it is very important to know what is API integration?.