What Is An API

2008-11-23

API- Application Programming Interface
  • An API (Application Program Interface) is a series of functions that programs can use to make the operating system do their work. Using Windows APIs, for example, a program can open windows, files, and message boxes --as well as perform more complicated tasks-- by passing a single instruction. Windows has several classes of APIs that deal with telephony, messaging, and other issues.
  • The specific method prescribed by a computer operating system, or by another application program, by which a programmer writing an application program can make requests of the operating system or another application. Unlike a GUI (graphical user interface), which is a direct user interface, the API interfaces with an operating system or a program.
  • An application program interface is the software interface to system services or software libraries. An API can consist of classes, function calls, subroutine calls, descriptive tags, etc.

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

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