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Everything about API

Connection between computers or programs

An application programming interface (API) is a connection between computers or between computer programs. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software. A document or standard that describes how to build such a connection or interface is called an API specification. A computer system that meets this standard is said to implement or expose an API. The term API may refer either to the specification or to the implementation. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: APIA 5-minute orientation
  2. Skim a recent paper: The UniProt website API: facilitating programmatic access to protein knowledgeInfluential work since 2022
  3. Pick up a classic book: JavaScript Absolute Beginner's GuideThe most-reprinted book on the subject
  4. Read the landmark paper: OpenMP: an industry standard API for shared-memory programmingCited 2,639 times
  5. Go sideways: Java (programming language)A closely related topic
  6. Go sideways: Geographic information system softwareA closely related topic

📖 Definitions

Symbol ISO 639-3 language code for Apiaká.

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Purpose
  2. History of the term
  3. Types
  4. Design
  5. Release policies
  6. API documentation
  7. Dispute over copyright protection for APIs
  8. Examples

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

🆕 Influential since 2022

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics