What is API?

API stands for Application Programming Interface. It allows different software systems to talk to each other. Think of it as a messenger that sends requests and returns responses.

APIs are commonly used to connect the frontend with the backend. For instance, when a weather app fetches temperature data from a server, it does so through an API.

There are different types of APIs, but the most common one in web development is the RESTful API, which uses standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE.

For example, when you use a travel booking site and search for available flights, the frontend sends a request to an API, which returns the matching flight data from the backend.

APIs also allow integration with external services such as Google Maps, payment gateways, or login systems like Facebook or Google sign-in.