APIs Explained (in 4 Minutes)

Make sure you're interview-ready with Exponent's system design interview prep course: bit.ly/3ItwJKk
Read our complete guide to system design interviews here: www.tryexponent.com/blog/syst...
In this video, we explain how APIs work. APIs enable different applications to communicate with each other using requests and responses. They enable the seamless integration of different systems, functionalities, and services.
Non-technical companies can benefit from APIs in the same way as technical companies. Web APIs deliver client requests and return responses via either JSON or XML over the internet.
Chapters
0:13 - What is an API?
1:52 - Non-technical analogy for APIs
2:45 - How do APIs work? (Web APIs)
3:08 - HTTP request and response structure
3:42 - Types of APIs
Watch more system design videos here:
- Meta engineering manager answers a rate limiter interview question: • System Design Mock Int...
- Google SWE answers an algorithms interview question: • Google Software Engine...
- Google TPM answers Tiktok system design interview question: • System Design Mock Int...
- Flipkart EM “Design Amazon Prime Video” system design interview question: • System Design Intervie...
👉 Subscribe to our channel: bit.ly/exponentyt
🕊️ Follow us on Twitter: bit.ly/exptweet
💙 Like us on Facebook for special discounts: bit.ly/exponentfb
📷 Check us out on Instagram: bit.ly/exponentig
📹 Watch us on TikTok: bit.ly/exponenttikttok
ABOUT US:
Did you enjoy this video? Want to land your dream career? Exponent is an online community, course, and coaching platform to help you ace your upcoming interview. Exponent has helped people land their dream careers at companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and high-growth startups. Exponent is currently licensed by Stanford, Yale, UW, and others.
Our courses include interview lessons, questions, and complete answers with video walkthroughs. Access hours of real interview videos, where we analyze what went right or wrong, and our 1000+ community of expert coaches and industry professionals, to help you get your dream job and more!

[@tryexponent]

Make sure you're interview-ready with Exponent's system design interview prep course: bit.ly/3ItwJKk

[@nurulafsar3195]

I've been programming for around 2 years now, and this was the first example that actually made the concept of an API stick in my head. The restaurant reservation analogy in particular was excellent.

[@anuvabsaha5317]

The Hunt for 'What is API'? ended here. Huge Thanks!

[@cthutu]

The term API is not just used for web development where a client sends a request to a server and a response is given back. In fact, the term API predates its use in the internet world. It basically just means a collection of functions that can be used to communicate with an appliation. For example, the Win32 API is used to talk to the Windows operating system. The OpenGL API is used to draw 3d graphics to the screen. The "API" concept explained in this video is a very specific use of the term "API".

[@tryexponent]

Hey cthutu! That's a factual definition of API. Thanks for sharing!

[@bhasinvaibhav007]

This is by far the most clear and simple explanation of APIs I've come across. Thanks!

[@tryexponent]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sebwlim]

best and most concise explanation of APIs I've seen on KZbin. Thank you!

[@rkug777]

Great analogy that stuck in my head! Keep making more of these please. Love the crisp narration in a clear, pleasant voice!

[@KC-kp9nq]

Working in IT and my manager couldt even explain me API in simple words. Thank you!

[@TheGreatDigitalism]

Fantastic video. Great analogies both simple and technical, yet concise.

[@mimianti-stush231]

Thank you for such a simple, practical, concise, non-technical and technical explanation. I am new to IT...and the analogy turned on a light bulb. I've subscribed to your channel!

[@Premssonglist]

Loved how simple and crisp was the explanation. The speaker eloquently presented the same 👍

[@johnochola4592]

Short and sweet. Life would be much easier with these kinds of explanations. Thank you!

[@glantedavid9728]

API is like a middleman 😂😂

[@LaughTale1999]

I didn't understand API but i understood something else here -> i have to follow EXPONENT for sure 😁😁😁😁

[@Hormoz.]

I have seen ALL API explanations and this is a more incisive and comprehensive introduction. ❤

[@nikolayrusanov8714]

The most comprehensive explanation of API I have ever seen!

[@Nala-gr8on]

Greatly appreciate the way you explained this. It very hard for me to retain technical information, but the way you did it was amazing and I can finally fully understand this. New sub!

[@evanstayuka381]

This was so helpful - the best explanation of what an API is. Thanks Exponent.

[@siddheshdivekar639]

most clear and simple explanation of APIs ever !

[@TigerHills]

this is one of the best examples i have ever seen for an API

[@abahiduh3246]

Your definition classically captures asynchronicity in a nutshell...best analogy for the concept of "Promises" and "Async await"

[@suhailm8761]

Just wow, very short and crisp to the points information, loved it

[@bazilonyayo]

Perfect Explanation of APIs. Thank you so much Neamah

[@josephamoappiah9536]

beat video I've seen concerning API's.

[@l3martin]

Very well explained - I lead a team that includes both developers and non-developers. This takes away to bridge one of the gaps between the team members.

[@santoshojha757]

The explanation was crisp and clear.. Thank You

[@eduardoligeiro2817]

excellent, clear, with real life examples. Although i am IT guy, i found it simply awesome ! Congratulations

[@jeff-creations]

Brilliant, love the explanation. Here is a text version: Let's say you have a dinner reservation for tonight for three people but you want to change it to six. You call the restaurant and ask them if it's possible to do that and the customer service person says yes. That was simple - you called someone, made a request, and you got a response yes or no. Now, let's say that there wasn't a customer service person and that it was up to you to figure this out. You would need to know: • How many people have made reservations for the same time at this restaurant? • How many tables are free at that time? • What's their kitchen capacity, and wait staff capacity?? All of these questions just to figure out whether you can add three more people to your reservation. That's a lot of unnecessary work on your part, work that you the customer have no expertise in. Not to mention that the restaurant has to reveal a lot of data to you, maybe even private data about who's eating there that night and who works there etc.... In this analogy the restaurant is an application that provides a specific service or function, which is to feed you. You are an application that is trying to get fed with a group of friends. The customer service rep from the restaurant is the restaurant's API. Customer service is the API interface through which you can communicate with the restaurant and make requests like changing the number on a reservation, and you can do that without having to dive into the messy details about how restaurant reservations work or anything like that.

[@bigshuff]

What a wonderful analogy, it will definitely stick with me. Respect!

[@abishekbaiju1705]

Your explanations are excellent. Thanks for the good work

[@1anre]

A Technically-minded PM is the coolest.

[@radhanmoodley5594]

You’re a star. Well presented. Most enjoyable

[@RameshKumar-ng3nf]

Oh GOD, you explained such a complex thing to understand in such a simple way . I never understand about API until i saw this beautiful 4 min GREAT video 😊 I am new to your channel and subscribed immediately 😊 You are exremely talented , i found this channel is very useful.

[@Mohamed-xt1fp]

Thanks for the simple explanation.

[@FernandoVillalpandojr]

Thank you. That was a fantastic breakdown of APIs

[@learningonline3648]

The reservation analogy was really good. I have tried to use non-tech analogies to explain this topic but they would often not capture the concept fully. Thank you!

[@tryexponent]

Hey Learning Online, glad you found the analogy useful! Feel free to use it in your future explanations.

[@nilavasen8631]

woow what a great exlanation.. I just got the API concept 100% clear. Thanks so much dear !!

[@AM-dn4lk]

This is the best explanation on APIs I have ever heard. Thank you.

[@tryexponent]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Goforitmanager]

Thank you, quite well explained even for beginners.

[@vish1211]

So easy and well explained. Thank you.

[@sportsboy5935]

awesome short video to grab whole concept with just a resturant call.

[@marcozardo7014]

Really useful explanation! Thanks for sharing it!

[@Jerrel.A]

Excellent Explained and Presented. Thanks!

[@akbareqbal5134]

thank you very simple explanation and very clear mind understandable.

[@clementasare5781]

Best explanation on API's, thanks much❤

[@flagger1]

That analogy was just amazing

[@ambikeya_tech]

Insightful breakdown! Concise yet comprehensive explanation of APIs. Your clarity makes complex concepts accessible.

[@NathanHarrison7]

Excellent video. Thank you. I wish all instructors made learning this easy and fun. Subscribed.

[@ahmed_og1]

Best API explination yet

[@mariofernandez7624]

Well explained, thanks for sharing!

[@karunakaranr2473]

Thank you for your time and effort. Explained well....

[@rajvellaturi]

Great explanation as usual!!

[@thesheikhfurqan]

what an explanation... hats off to you

[@mutungirodney4526]

Best example for API by far

[@RealityCheck6969]

Wow. Thx for this easily comprehendible video.

[@vidyasagarnatarajan9789]

Best and Most simple i have come across

[@EllieLocsin]

I love this video. It is very clear, precise and super easy to understand especially for those who are not in a tech or no experience in tech. This makes me subscribe to your channel. ❤❤❤

[@younes-47]

Your explanation is very coherant and well put. Using simple english and logic phrases you make the listner hooked and attentive. That is how explanation videos should be. Thank you so much ❤ liked and subbed

[@user-ug4dj1cq6t]

I loved her explanation 💐

[@ihorradchenko7819]

I love this explanation! Thanks

[@thanurprannavm7066]

Good Edit . Cool words. Mind-blowing Narration

[@ganeshtpai]

Well explained thank you 👍🏼

[@Here-Abdullah]

Your video is and your article is very helpful for me

[@kylemlsantos97]

Exceptional explanation!

[@akashpatel-bs8ve]

Crisp and clear ❤

[@ryangulati5872]

Very clear, thanks!

[@Coding-Just]

Excellent explanation thank you

[@supremeomegacompany]

Wow basic and Explanatory!

[@zummamk]

Super useful and clear, thank you.

[@careervest]

beautiful explanation.

[@philomanbabuperam]

Well said madam....thank you for your valuable information....:)

[@zamamadikizela8025]

I really like how you explained it

[@edwardkawamba9047]

Well done with the presentation.

[@user-ul2mt3de6t]

Well explained and presented

[@germangarciafernandez]

Best explanation ever...

[@blessed_human]

Thank you very nicely explained 👍🏼🙂

[@WaranVaithilingam]

Well explained thank you !

[@MarccelusEnoh]

This was an excellent one.

[@jucaguima]

Very well explained!

[@papaglock6587]

Great explanation 👌🏾

[@athirarkrishnan6697]

Well explained !!

[@CustAndCode]

I will probably use the restaurant thing myself in the future to explain an API! Thank you! 🤗🤩

[@Mohankumar-gv7xe]

Explained well 👏

[@venkatpm2034]

Wonderful analogy

[@RajY-pd5zm]

Neamah explanation is incredible

[@maurolimaok]

Nice channel. Bookmarked. On my first steps learning to code on Odin Project. Thanks for the channel.

[@user-yr8jt9ry5j]

Thank you great explanation

[@padmakumar3803]

Well explained, Good job

[@isaacwhiz]

Precise explanations

[@Zimbaziti]

fantastic!

[@vijaysarathi2883]

clear explanation by neamah

[@maneeshk2355]

Loved it 💫

[@zacsamuel7295]

thanks, very clear

[@DiscoverSalesforceWithGY]

Nice and Simple explanation !!

[@user-ni9qe2vd7m]

Wow! You nailed it.

[@bjulin]

THIS is how you explain things! 👌

[@be236]

great explanation!

[@user-fp8lc4cv6p]

great examples thank u

[@anandjam8994]

Nice explanation 👏

[@chrismorganofficial]

Lovely explanation