API vs. SDK: What's the difference?

Learn more about APIs: ibm.biz/guide-to-api
Learn more about REST APIs: ibm.biz/guide-to-rest-api
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What is an API? What is an SDK? How are they related and enable users to streamline their cloud application development workflows?
In this lightboard video, Nathan Hekman with IBM Cloud, answers these questions and much more while providing a real life scenario which explains the difference and similarities, and ultimately how the two technologies can work together to allow you to spend less time connecting/configuring a cloud service, and more time coding and actually using the service in your app.
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#API #SDK #RESTAPI

[@richa9719]

An SDK is just a pre-packages set of code (for a specific language) that you don’t have to write yourself. Sometimes free and sometimes you have to,purchase them. In the case of this video, he is suggesting a “API-Interaction” SDK a developer would use. There are all sorts of other SDK’s out there including things like an SDK to simplify building a User Interface.

[@ulicqueldromal]

What you describe sounds more like a framework to me. Isn't an sdk (software development kit) something you use during the development rather than during actual runtime? Like a debugger etc. If I'm wrong (which is totally possible), could you tell me where you would draw the line between framework and sdk?

[@tresaidh3y90]

@@ulicqueldromal isn't a framework like .NET an sdk anyway? (Idk though i could be wrong as well)

[@jf649]

Thanks for that missing piece / clarification

[@techeast1575]

@@ulicqueldromal sounds to me like he’s talking about templates in Wordpress. Especially the last sentence. So SDKs are themes ?

[@chandlerlane8118]

@@tresaidh3y90 no thats a framwork you literally just said it

[@jh6336]

I'm impressed that you wrote all this backwards, and didn't even screw up

[@ganchen5555]

There are editing softwares that can flip horizontally.

[@mcgremi5769]

@@ganchen5555 lol

[@mcgremi5769]

I'm impressed that you think he wrote all this backwards 🤣

[@xianseah4847]

The camera was filming behind a glass, and he was writing on that glass as per normal. The video was simply flipped like a mirror image.

[@nfathoni79]

He actually use his right hand to write

[@saketmodi6280]

Summary : - API : enables a system to communicate with another (without having to understand the complexity of the other system) - SDK : enables you to use APIs easily

[@janglestick]

well ... SDK's are actually code. It's actually instantiated, rather than being a protocol.

[@sharathkumarhk4260]

I didn't have the enough ryt now . To watch the full video.. Thanks for Summarising it. 😀

[@joefuentes2977]

@@janglestick thank you mo one is saying what it actually is and you just nailed it. Its that simple.

[@bibekanandabhattacharjee952]

1 Quick Question. Can a API not work properly without an appropriate SDK and vice-versa ?

[@hachiman_1]

@@bibekanandabhattacharjee952 My understanding is that sdk make it easier and faster to implement the api communication rather than writing code from scratch as it contains already all the methods needed to make api calls so we can just call the methods instead of writing the entire implementation. (Without reinventing the wheel)

[@sourabhch3044]

Out of all the tech giants putting out educational videos, IBM has the most visually appealing videos.

[@meow5412]

true, but the sound of the markers hurts me 😢

[@abiraroychoudhury7318]

Even before I can concentrate on the subject he is explaining, my brain is lingering on the board and its depiction, it is so amazing

[@aicancode5676]

i think this is the most clear and easy to understand video i've watched about api and sdk . love it, keep it up!!

[@PoolarityChannel]

Prior to 2000 and there is a period of overlap, API was synonymous with function calls to external libraries exposed by other modules. It could be local, in memory, inter-process or remote libraries (or set of libraries SDK), whether it was binary or textual. API's around 2000 became synonymous with HTTP SOAP Web Services, and circa 2012 became synonymous with REST Web Services.

[@jamzbraz]

I'm glad to see this comment cuz what's being discussed in the video is a Web API instead of a regular API. Nobody I work with seems to understand there's a difference there.

You nailed it!

[@hervem6983]

I do not understand why some people put a thumb down ?? This video is design to give an overview of technical concepts. It does an excellent job and reach it goal, it simplifies those technical notions without giving wrong info.

[@jeetendrashinde2855]

A nice short video by Nathan, but which gives a good insight on what SDK and API are. Thanks mate for your effort

[@Marcelo-gk1le]

Thanks for the explanation! That is the first presentation I see from an IBM person that goes directly to the point. Great.

[@peteronum3964]

This was absolutely simplified! Thanks IBM and amazing instructor

[@ricky08454]

Perfect. Was struggling with these terms. Helped me get a basic idea to build on.

[@ronaldseo]

this is pretty good movie clip to get basic understanding of between both. It is really helpful.

[@nishantingle1438]

This channel is famous to make easy concepts complicated, hats off to you guys & keep up the good work.

[@mc5dlearning454]

This video gives me light for a design project of an app. Thanks!

[@BarsCanYlmaz]

i am wondering how he learned writing reverse

[@EdwinvandenAkker]

I was just thinking that. But, I think he wrote it just the way he always writes. But, in the editing software, the image is flipped horizontally...

[@AANation360]

Maybe the video is flipped?

[@novaXire]

The video is mirrored, so he is right handed and wear his watch on his left ARM ^^

[@gregfrllo]

he is a computer generated person

[@thetiskyeffect]

He's using a LightBoard. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXSypqhmYtRoj6s

[@emoneyfire]

10/10 in actually getting the point of the video across, keep posting content plz!

[@chicharon5605]

API is also the library of interfaces to a desktop application or program. For example, you can integrate a program to Excel by using its COM API Interface. API is basic, it's only an interface. An SDK is more complete as it can have library API interfaces AND Tools to work with a specific technology. For example, if you want to develop mobile apps from Windows, you will need an SDK for a mobile OS, which is a complete set of tools to compile the code to Native Mobile OS, a debugger, an IDE, etc. etc.

[@Vokinov]

I've watched many content about APIs. This video is definitely the best. Great job.

[@jrbautista]

The style of this tutorial is awesome.

[@Aurangazeebak333]

Very nice video... The one I was looking for... This is the kind of demo I or I think common folks like me, look for when dealing with these software abbreviations littering the entire cloud development ecosystem. Keep posting great videos like these.

[@gavincoulson3900]

Definitely loving these videos from IBM. Thank you for these!

[@rinoarmadiaz1199]

i love your explanation! easy to digest :) thank you!

[@cassianoferromoraes2746]

Awesome video! You made it pretty clear and straightforward for us! Thanks

[@chrisinhim]

Dear IBM Cloud, you disturbed me with your creative board and the talented trainer. Due to the amazement, I could not concentrate on what he is teaching. You innovated a little more than what you need to.

[@almahdidghaim7383]

These is a crestal clear example. I really appreciate your effort and method of education. great thank you as I wish to see more and more of this videos.

[@ahmedchajia3478]

thanks a lot for this klarification its really help me to understant the concept of communication of an app

[@mateuszczmer6802]

Great video. Sound of that pen on glass though...uff shivering

[@Kaltinril]

I just go to 29 seconds where he finished the square for the dog, I can't even continue, it's like nails on chalk board for me.

[@Gaming45454]

i stop watch at this point

[@bhaskardabhi]

I agree. I had to discontinue the video bcz of sound it makes

[@Josiah_Harder]

I actually like that sound. It's nothing like nails on a chalkboard

[@persona83]

Nails on a chalk board is pure hell.

[@wiwi-yb]

이렇게 좋은 영상에 한글자막을 해주셔서 너무 감사합니다

[@user-xf9bo6eq8f]

근데 자막 너무 개떡같지 않나요??? 메소드를 방법이라고 하는데??? 통신을 의사소통이라고 하고 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 기계번역 수준...

[@cuddy90210]

Nicely explained!.. Thank you so much!

[@janpapaj1982]

Very succint. As a brief intro, it shines! Thanks, man.

[@shashank-agrawal]

A nice explanation. And I loved the board.

[@bsummer]

Never knew programming was this easy. You have really open my mind to endless ways of developing solutions to problems. Thanks Bro!

[@superheaton]

That's the idea. It should always be the guiding principles of good software. It's also great that the api or design when they are easy for the layperson to dive into the subject. Yes there is still a learning curve. If you look at search engines you dont ever had to think about issues about ranking or api or syntaxes almost never. Similarly, difficult concepts should be enjoyed by everyone. So there is a lot of work still. Glad you're enjoying it

[@badsanta7356]

I don't understand shit

[@angeldimitrov1353]

Great video, I think this helps remind us of what an API ‘actually’ is…I personally tend to use the term API when I should really be saying ‘SDK’. I think another important concept to mention is that an API requires the logic to be hosted on 3rd party hardware, whereas SDK entails assemblies that you absorb as local references to your project and publish along with your build.

[@Potzakv20]

What is the difference between a SDK and a package then?

[@calvinsaxon5822]

great and clear introduction to the terms

[@splackna]

I have been using api and sdk without knowing the terms for them! Thank you for the enlightenment!

[@ReedoAce]

Haha love this!

[@sidineisilva14]

This is one of the best videos I've ever seen on youtube!!!

[@robsonsilva9490]

Whoa, this is a exceptional vídeo about API and SDK topics, my english needs a upgrade, but thanks was necessary!

[@electricz3045]

I save you some time here: API is if you make the requests yiursefl to an url to get, post, put etc. json data. SDK is a sort of module written by the service provider which contains functions you can use to complete your task. Example would be: upload_image("cat.png")

[@anthonyfernandezgonzalez8262]

Thank you! amazing tutorial, clear and solid explanation.

[@EustaquioSantimano]

Very easy to understand API and SDK. Thanks

[@ananddeshmukh4939]

Amazing Board technology and nice describing, easy telling story about mittens great job.. Brother

[@WisdomInExperience]

Awesome explanation. I was struggling to understand it.

[@balaloganathan2621]

Very nicely articulated- I love it!

[@IBMTechnology]

Thanks, Bala!

[@aravindhs2063]

great explanation👍

[@hrdcdedchannel7141]

The main difficulties of existing API multilevel systems are: 1.The difficulty of porting a program code from one API interface to another. 2.Loss of functionality upon jumping from lower layer to higher.

[@vladpaul01]

These IBM videos are NOTCHES above the google ones . Great stuff !!

[@siddharthdyavanapalli4617]

Amazingly explained 🔥

[@JoseSanchez-vv1zd]

This is a good explanation. Thank you!

[@hebamsaud6813]

Thank you Very simple and nice explanation

[@toplemon8045]

This guy is way ahead other explainers in youtube, nice charsima, speech and gestures, and nice looks

[@TricoliciSerghei]

Thank you for very useful videos guys! You're great!

[@camel0928]

Thanks for the video, the drawing is actually very helpful to understand between these two.

[@IBMTechnology]

You're welcome, glad you like our video format! 👍

[@yumincao9209]

명확하게 정의해 주네. 이런 점 좋아요~

[@placidenteziryayo1360]

Thanks for your helpful tips about SDK and API

[@karianpour]

The down side of the SDK is its size. It has many funcrionality that one app might not use, also as SDK should be consistent over time, it should have the older versions which make them even larger over time. Also, as they run on our thread, they could have security issues, as well as malwares. It is better to make a good document for API vs an SDK. But big companies like to creare SDK to abscure data from developer. So never use an SDK unless it is open source.

[@OEThe11]

Very Interesting. And here I thought SDK's was a great Idea.

[@BooleanDev]

worth noting that if the language has tree shaking, sdk size is not an issue

[@sahilndearkumar7645]

1.

[@LuisRuizHalo]

I’ve loved this board since day one.

[@basutungal]

Wow, that is really simple straitforward explanation..

[@jagdeeshhooli930]

Very nice explanation!

[@azguindou]

A wonderful explication. Thank you.

[@amandapaganilima5593]

This is a great video, I finally understand that difference

[@rtothec1234]

Without SDKs we would need to send API requests using low level HTTP commands in whatever language we use. For example: Wanna talk to the Stripe API to get customer info using PHP? Without an SDK you probably need Guzzle HTTP library to send several requests to the /customer/ endpoints while needing to pass authentication credentials each and every time in your code. With their PHP SDK you aunthenticate once within your scripts and use the Customer object to get customer related data. SDKs facilitate using an API but are not the API and are not guaranteed be offered by the service/company that published the API. On the other hand, consuming the API using lower level commands offers us more control depending on how deep the SDK was implemented or not. I highly recommend checking out Stripe’s APIs and SDK documentation to get a good example of amazing implementation.

[@saltdomeguy]

One of the best explanations I've seen so far

[@mohammadjavadaghazadehfard7873]

Hi, Thank you. It was great. please make more videos like this. best of luck.

[@tesla3290]

Thank you, it helped but i had a little bit of problems. Good Tutorial

[@zhangjianwen2631]

Thanks for the illustration. It seems the APIs are more like the description of the communication procedure or strategy. SDK is more on the code implementation of the API. However, I think SDK has a broader meaning than just the coding implementation of APIs. I like your board and colorful pens.

[@nicolasvelazquez6972]

Im not a native english speaker, the way you talk is amazing understable! Congrats!

[@oshanyellanaranasinghe7162]

perfect explanation 😍😍😍😍thank you

[@xrays3879]

That was so perfect. Thank you!!!

[@lazymacs2823]

Yeah

[@varnanthirugnanasambandan559]

Thanks ,a colorful presentation on api and sdk. very helpful.

[@IBMTechnology]

You are most welcome

[@curioussoul7500]

Thanks for making it so simple

[@francis191]

Great breakdown Nathan.

[@frankcklin]

vary impressive way to teaching in remote by glass wall and inverse image filming.

[@ramprasad_v]

Great video & excellent explanation 🙂

[@shirleyachara3809]

Excellent explanation, thanks.

[@1dagmawi]

1min in the video, am like "gotta sub this channel". I love how calmly he explains things. Need more from this guy

[@dayvs]

I understand now what all this means, but sometimes you are just looking for simple definitions: API is a URL that does something (retrieve info, change something or perform an action). SDK is a file or files which have libraries that developers download and use in their proyects. Then it comes everything else that you brilliantly explained.

[@vladimirgetselevich4704]

Good, clean explanation!

[@ibrahimabdeltawab6418]

So informative! Thanks so much

[@faizanahmed9304]

Beautiful explanation

[@surendrajat7290]

this video blow my mind ,, great video

[@richardgonzales1936]

It was superb how he wrote his explanations in reverse 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@iyviish]

he didnt write in reverse. he reversed the video

[@srb1855]

Excellent - very helpful. 👍

[@TechSolutions32]

Amazing explanation

[@osks]

Very nicely done! Informative…

[@jennwng]

Great explanation! Thanks! :)

[@vanadiscrawford2737]

Very clear and well done! Excellent intro and helped clarify for me what I never have been able to get through in my head about APIs and SDKs. (Although a Chaussie mixed breed cat - really? lol)

[@hichamlotfi4277]

great explanation

[@vtt599]

Hi. i just discovered this video and it's great. Thanks for that. I have a question: once the tool box created, is there any best practice to maintain it please ?

[@mitchiarikov2614]

Fantastic video, thank you!

[@duartelucas5746]

That screeching… I am dying here. Great content!

[@todokloklo358]

Thank you,it helped me

[@user-bk7ny7kt7y]

아주 재밌고 유익한 영상 잘보고갑니다 :) 앞으로 많이 많이 찾아봐야겠습니다 :)

[@Tolulope374]

Awesome explanation

[@christianlisangola9383]

Brilliant explanation

[@SoManyJasons]

Who knew MrBeast would be teaching me about APIs and SDKs but this really helped!

[@poischiche2933]

Great explanations sir. Thumb up

[@pprathameshmore]

Nice explanation

[@vinnycrm]

Cool video, explained beautifully 👍

[@debiprasaddash6403]

The advantage of SDK is just to avoid handeling api requests and response , but in reality SDK will not reduce the extra code form application . In simple word SDK is a sinthetic sugar over API