API Integration and Development

Definition ⇓⇓⇓

API integration involves connecting third-party services or data sources with a website or application to enhance functionality or retrieve information. API development involves creating custom APIs to expose specific functionalities of the application.

Understanding ⇓⇓⇓

API integration and development involve connecting different software systems or services to enhance functionality and exchange data seamlessly. Integrating APIs allows applications to leverage external functionalities such as payment processing, social media login, or data synchronization. API development, on the other hand, entails creating custom APIs to expose specific functionalities of an application for integration with other systems. This facilitates interoperability between different platforms, enhances user experience, and enables developers to leverage existing services to build robust and feature-rich applications.

Examples ⇓⇓⇓

Integrating a payment gateway API (e.g., Stripe or PayPal) into an e-commerce website, incorporating social media APIs (e.g., Facebook or Twitter) for login and sharing functionalities, or developing a RESTful API for a mobile application to interact with a database.