What is an API?

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The textbook definition goes something like this:
“An application programming interface (API) is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. An API expresses a software component in terms of its operations, inputs, outputs, and underlying types. An API defines functionalities that are independent of their respective implementations, which allows definitions and implementations to vary without compromising each other. A good API makes it easier to develop a program by providing all the building blocks.
APIs often come in the form of a library that includes specifications for routines, data structures, object classes, and variables. In other cases, notably SOAP and REST services, an API is simply a specification of remote calls exposed to the API consumers.
An API specification can take many forms, including an International Standard, such as POSIX, vendor documentation, such as the Microsoft Windows API, or the libraries of a programming language, e.g., the Standard Template Library in C++ or the Java APIs.
An API differs from an application binary interface (ABI) in that an API is source code-based while an ABI is a binary interface. For instance POSIX is an API, while the Linux Standard Base provides an ABI”.
To speak plainly, an API is the messenger that runs and delivers your request to the provider you’re requesting it from, and then delivers the response back to you.
To give you a familiar example, think of an API as a waiter in a restaurant.
Imagine you’re sitting at the table with a menu of choices to order from, and the kitchen is the provider who will fulfill your order.
What’s missing is the critical link to communicate your order to the kitchen and deliver your food back to your table.
That’s where the waiter (or API) comes in. ”AHEM”
The waiter takes your order, delivers it to the kitchen, and then delivers the food (or response) back to you. (Hopefully without letting your order crash if designed correctly)
Now that we’ve whetted your appetite, let’s apply this to a real API example. In keeping with our theme, let’s book a flight to a culinary capital - Paris.
You’re probably familiar with the process of searching for airline flights online. Just like at a restaurant, you have a menu of options to choose from ( a dropdown menu in this case). You choose a departure city and date, a return city and date, cabin class, and other variables (like meal or seating, baggage or pet requests)
In order to book your flight, you interact with the airline’s website to access the airline’s database to see if any seats are available on those dates, and what the cost might be based on certain variables.
But, what if you are not using the airline’s website, which has direct access to the information? What if you are using online travel service that aggregates information from many different airlines? Just like a human interacts with the airline’s website to get that information, an application interacts with the airline’s API.
The API is the interface that, like your helpful waiter, runs and and delivers the data from that online travel service to the airline’s systems over the Internet.
It also then takes the airline’s response to your request and delivers right back to the online travel service .
And through each step of the process it facilitates that interaction between the travel service and the airline’s systems - from seat selection to payment and booking.
So now you can see that it’s APIs that make it possible for us all to use travel sites. They interface with with airlines’ APIs to gather information in order to present options back to us
The same goes for all interactions between applications, data and devices - they all have API’s that allow computers to operate them, and that's what ultimately creates connectivity.
API’s provide a standard way of accessing any application, data or device whether it is shopping from your phone, or accessing cloud applications at work.
So, whenever you think of an API, just think of it as your waiter running back and forth between applications, databases and devices to deliver data and create the connectivity that puts the world at our fingertips. And whenever you think of creating an API, think MuleSoft.

[@monochromehime4152]

Interviewer: What is an API? Me: Well, its nothing but a waiter in a restaurant.

[@some90sKid]

... Interviewer: I see you're a man of culture as well. 10 points for Gryffindor! Me(You): ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@sudiptaa6159]

Interviewer: You are hired!

[@danielrdrigues]

Haha, Jokes apart, this video offers the best analogy.

[@ЏонМастерман]

xD

[@t.gowthamarasu1258]

@@some90sKid 🙌😁👍

[@Centauri27]

Excellent use of the waiter analogy for describing what an API does!

[@remishernandez1280]

Hialeah come to understand what an API is I'm so grateful for the explanation now I understand where I was going wrong and my

[@victornaut]

Perfect explanation + super clear animation. Neat as hell, neat as MuleSoft. (why the hell am I doing this...)

[@TheEgyGeek]

Nice one brodie parmelee

[@simarjitkaur2864]

lol... totally agree....

[@SpaceMusicOutofWorld]

Maybe they paid you..? :D

[@alanpulido2362]

lolll

[@vaibhavkaushik3677]

hahahhahhaha

[@kualamercedes1963]

It's the people that are able to explain complex processes in a simple and elegant manner that truly understands. Everyone else outside of this simplicity, is sending us all into a dizzy technical spin. Thank you very much, absolutely stunning video!

[@tkc403]

As einstein once said :)

[@erikbudrow1255]

0:56 Exactly what happened to my brain when I tried looking up the definition of API, and exactly why I watched this video. It's crystal clear now. Thank you Mulesoft. You'll forever be in my heart.

[@SimonLiftsLife]

agreed!

[@joaovictormoreirapinto3943]

I'll Make your words my own.

[@vv9022]

Lol, yes, same

[@kamal-hassan]

Same buddy,

[@erikbudrow1255]

I love how they just nonchalantly start reading the definition as if that's how they're going to explain it, then start speeding it up without warning then they're like "pysch! just messin. let me break it down for ya..." 😆

[@alelumelelu7766]

all takes is 3 min to explain this concept and some take 30 min 1 hr and you still don't get it . .. thanks

[@mcoyid]

Alelu Melelu because even those guys don't know. Still they keep on throwing articles on students

[@viewsweeksagotheKingK]

Thanks a lot, please share to all music lovers kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXe8qKaNic6Igrs

[@rosebliki4952]

Lol it's incorrect though

[@helmifadhiel]

Ahlelu Melelu, ganti kek ga ada orang lain apa.

[@satyamkumar2820]

Very well said.

[@juliebrandsma9988]

After watching so many videos dealing with API's and programming.. this one by far takes the cake. Excellent video MuleSoft. You clearly explained a somewhat complex subject in under 4 minutes. You guys definitely know what you're doing. Liked and subscribed.

[@kofipearls]

I'm a beginner in programing rn but this simple explanation gives me so much insight into what web development actually entails

[@falcon3431]

I knew this was the explanation I was looking for simply by the thumbnail. Simple and informative. Good use of simile and metaphor. 10/10 IGN.

[@montazmeahii6029]

What is the "IGN" part of your comment? Are you talking about the gaming review website IGN?

[@udbhavshrivastava]

It has little something in it for everyone

[@nitipradhan437]

Easily explained. Never thought I would get to know in such less time the basic of API.

[@hishoo1000]

Perfect Animation & Basic Explanation...Well Done ..Subscribed :D

[@mib8254]

Hisham Zahran me to

[@marjorielaure1996]

That is the most precise explanation for API. Good job!!

[@chadhaupt]

I absolutely love this explanation. Simple, to the point and awesome examples used. Thank you.

[@RajeshKaushik8]

Love the way it explained through. And as my short profession "Graphic & Web Designer" I really appreciate Design thanks to designer well designed.

[@NateB]

The waiter metaphor works well to explain this to guys who haven't worked with APIs or written them before. Previously, I had heard the metaphor of a cell phone dial pad, but this is even better. Thanks, MuleSoft. I send you wishes for clean, simple, and effective design.

[@biebekchamlagain]

Hands down the most crystal clear analagy to explain a concept I have encountered so far.

[@Furkanh66]

yeahh right, its even made 6 years ago!!

[@velvetbees]

Before the advent of personal computers, people used to do all the grunt work, like answer phones and give you information. This is a really good picture of how computers do it now.

[@alinaser8015]

That's by far the BEST explanation/definition I've ever seen about anything

[@t.gowthamarasu1258]

Simply awesome, explained in the easiest way, I never forget mulesoft

[@reylim6129]

This was simple, quick, and straight to the point. Thank you!

[@theijoijo]

damn, that french meme music got me

[@yuzat]

for real lmao

[@yashv2000]

Someone pls tell me how the animation for this video is made. I mean what is the underlying technology. I am a noob so dont really have much idea but its inte-resting

[@frvray2]

Yash Verma these are explainer videos and they’re mostly made with After Effects and other video editing softwares that support motion graphics.

[@TON-vz3pe]

I have been working as a MuleSoft Devloper for almost 2 years. I think there is a subtle difference of an API really does practically Vs theoretically . Ultimately the ones who works on it can really dig what it actually represents. Anyway don't confuse yourselves that API URLs we use will be returning Webpages , as they are URLs

[@HackerNoon]

Thank you for showing us how to build first API in less than 10 minutes

[@ishna2023]

Explained in an easy and comprehensive way. Now I will never forget what API is

[@ashfaq6455]

The best explanation after watching hundreds of videos. Thanks for your plain English!

[@sagargupta2730]

The best explanation about API one could find over the Internet

[@hasibulislamhasib4528]

At first I didn't want to open the video. But Now I realized what if I ignore it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my god you saved my hundreds of minutes thanks MuleSoft

[@stannisbarracuda5693]

best explanation , first time i understand it.

[@ronkeosho6441]

This is simple and straightforward. Bang ON. Thank you!

[@crazycat2969]

All developers can agree, that's really clean explanation of API

[@faadi4536]

Kudos to you. This short video is worth my time over spending hours reading wikipedia articles.

[@platinumphonesandcomputers]

the person who created this animation video deserves a pay raise

[@SoloWanderer25]

This video is better than what my instructor tried to teach me in a 60mins long lecture, Thanks @ MuleSoft Videos🥰

[@khangnguyendac7184]

This is exactly a plain explanation, it's very helpful

[@prasannapuliyadijeevanram2132]

This way of transmitting the knowledge is greatly needed.

[@bhaskar_5168]

U explained in a human understandable language... love from INDIA

[@roxsang9547]

now I understand it, thanks a lot

[@christopherpeters4305]

Very well articulated for a common person without technical knowledge to understand..

[@MrVguhan]

Great Appreciation to the Presenter for make this video simple and easily understating way.

[@crocodilecode8120]

Omg! This video is crystal clear about what an API is. Thank you so much!

[@PoolStarzLive]

Love this video. Didn't know the entire time of being an entrepreneur that my main goal is to create an API that directly support professional billiards!!!!!! MULE SOFT LETS TALK!

[@arthursandomine5464]

Dosen't get more clear and simple than this!

[@Jakes_psyche]

It's important to also note that API is like your account to you and the website your trying to get data from, it is your key, and everybody's key is different.

[@dkazmer2]

In web development there's no such thing as an "API". It's why no one knows what it really is and all are afraid to ask. Someone just invented a term full of jargon that sounded good, and we all went _Oh yeah, sure API, of course, duh..._ *The term "Application Programming Interface" is meaningless.* The way it really works is this: The client makes a request to the server, then the server fulfills that request to the client. So there's no "waiter" involved. I simply yell into the kitchen and the kitchen provides me with food. That's it!

[@kholofelomatlala8685]

Does the kitchen come to you?

[@dkazmer2]

@@kholofelomatlala8685 No. I'm already standing at the Kitchen entrance. I yell to a cook, who hands me the food

[@TimHansenux]

Whoever the 6 people are that don't like this video are bozos.

[@harrisonogbebor8006]

+Tim Hansen Dont mind them, they dont ,now anything.

[@LoneWolf-hq5lb]

Well ... They may be the people who posted about API in their channel which may run for an hour and still fails to make us understand.. lol

[@chrystallynch5866]

Brilliant explanation. Thank you! And great animation. Who did you get to do the animation and her voice is perfect. Basically Mulesoft you nailed it!

[@PalashPathak19]

I dont believe this is an advertisement :D What an elegant description !

[@mverma7845]

what if the server at the restaurant is a computer programmer.

[@olumuyiwaagboola6523]

This is among the best explanation videos I have ever watched in my entire life 💯

[@nguyenthanhluu3892]

It is very useful for me to imagine what is API, clear, easy to understand when having a lot of examples. Thanks.

[@wombastic2614]

Thanks a lot! I was struggling to understand the concept of API, which wasn't clear in my course, but now I get it! KZbin : 1, University : 0

[@nation5743]

You should drop out.

[@wombastic2614]

@@nation5743 euhm no, I don't think so

[@itproductive9493]

really appreciate the crystal clear descrip...

[@kerimkerimli5490]

OH my Gooood , this is best tutorial and cleanest definition, and better than googling))))))))))))))))))))

[@sahilsudesh4332]

One of the best analogies I have ever seen. Great job Folks!!!1

[@techmongersmedia9817]

Best Way to Explain, One great salute to the person who created this video

[@james3603]

good marketing strategy. and at the same time, its a crystal clear explanation about API

[@rafiilham456]

Crystal clear for understanding the concept of API

[@westt8698]

finally! someone who can speak excellent English!!!

[@eddiebear975]

Best explanation for introductory learning. Thankyou!

[@dante62]

Perfect description, amazing (and humorous) animations, thanks for this.

[@vazeerkhan4838]

After watching several videos now I got to understood what is API #ThankYou

[@wenxiaozhou3131]

A simple explanation to makes things clear. Thanks!

[@junwoojeong4886]

Wow, it blew my mind. This is very clear!! Thank you

[@proalexv]

To be a bit more specific and for clarification, an API is code that communicates with our database and then gives a response to that request? In the example of the flights, we send a request in the database to ask for available seats, then the database checks it's server for the information and then returns it to us. That's the gist of it, right?

[@الجورزماوي]

yes you are right

[@ayoub_elalami]

Perfect animation and perfect explanation thank you so much

[@hiteshj2110]

Dope Animation, Dope Explanation! HUGE THUMBS UP!

[@arisis6709]

The video is great and very informative but the best part is the french background music at the restaurant.

[@malavipande6693]

Simple & Short.Great Explanation !

[@mattleeder1]

This was a great video. Explains it very well. Helped me prepare for a job interview today.

[@victoriaizmalkova8866]

best explanation of an API ever!

[@cdanko5]

Love the simplicity - thank you

[@nostalgiccringeallhailchel3881]

hands down the best video on api

[@MrS-pe6sd]

The attempt to oversimplify this definition ended up making it way more complicated than it needed to be.

[@RT-kk2gk]

I like her explanation. clearly to the point.

[@peppermintdior]

I really appreciate the animation quality ♥

[@lazaroluski438]

Finally I know what API is. Thank you soo much for this video🔥🔥

[@ankitshaw2011]

Watching in 2021 And boy the explaination is to the Point. Feels like tipping the Waiter.😜

[@pankajgaldhar906]

Very well described for non-technical people

[@thedevfactor784]

That's how everyone should explain everything.....instead of piling up jargons which is usually done......thank you

[@D_Elchapo]

This was really a fun and cool way to explain what is an API. Thanks a lot 😄

[@hexasync]

Excellent video. Thank you for clarifying and making this process easy to understand

[@shashibhushanjena2557]

Simple but detailed explanation. Good Job

[@numpyasnum1768]

Wow, this is awesome, do this for all your videos please.

[@mrakstudio13]

This is a great and simple explanation but do you have an example tutorial for this after the clients finished to submit their info?

[@Got-it747]

I wish i could like this video ten thousand times ❤

[@duelmonsters409]

simple, but very clear and deep explaination.... awesome!

[@hmathenge25]

Excellently explained....the waiter example is so cool...

[@TheMehrdadIE]

Simple but very useful video! Thanks

[@bronwyngreeff3658]

Excellent way to explain an API, Thank you!!

[@percydsouza139]

Loved it. This simplicity of the explanation. Thank you

[@figo1337]

Thank you for clear explanation with great example!!!

[@Rohanfagwani]

Are there any such channels that provide practical, easy to follow examples to explain IT related concepts? P.S. This video and the microservices video were amazing!!

[@theuniverse9456]

Great!!!!! Now, I will never forget it ❤️what an api is

[@annoyingprecision2487]

Fantastic and concise explanation. Thanks a lot.

[@shresthaaswal6966]

Such a great video! I really appreciate the effort.

[@codewithhassan5284]

Shrestha Aswal just posted a tutorial using an API if you want

[@Inaworldoflove]

Another way to think of an API is as an interpreter. Let's say you walk up to an information booth in Tokyo. But the guy doesn't speak English. So An interpreter stands inbetween you two. He speaks perfect English and perfect Japanese and can give the information booth worker the question you have, and then give it back to you in English that you understand.

[@percygabrielii7445]

short and sweet! right to the point. Thanks.

[@gonia24]

Wow, great video. So clearly explained.

[@codewithhassan5284]

Gosia Márgget Gorzałczana just posted a tutorial using an API if you want

[@fireyonix]

i had a vauge understanding of it but this is so helpful!! thank you so much!

[@trinhcuong9188]

It is a very short explanation, really easy to understand! Thank u very much ^^ !