School Of Basics | What is an API | API testing interview questions

[@WolfGr33d]

"API enables communication between different applications" Thank you for being the first person to give an understandable explanation. I kept running into video after video giving vague descriptions of what an API does by using the Waiter and Chef analogy, without ever explaining they were representing applications.

[@RaghavPal]

Hi, glad to know this helped

[@Galaxy2431]

A much simpler way to understand what an API is, imagine you login to your Bank and do all the activities there - wire funds to another account, transfer, view balances, search a transaction by a specific amount or date, etc. This is User Interface, or UI. Now imagine you are a big company and have hundreds or thousands of daily Bank transactions. Inputting, handling and managing them manually would be a herculean task, very time consuming, would need a lot of people to manage these tasks manually, hence costly, as well as will be prone to error when you want to bring these bank transactions to your company's accounting ledger, like an ERP system. So, to facilitate this, most Banks provide secure digital interface with exactly same feature as you can perform via a UI. This digital feature is what is called an API. More appropriately, we will say that such and such features are implemented or exposed by a specific application (in our example the Bank) via APIs.

[@imranshaikh115]

You put lot information in a very small video that is not an easy task for someone. It requires lot of skills and experience to make this kind of clear and crystal explanation about one confusion topic so anybody could understand in an easy manner. Thanks a lot for sharing very beautiful information. God may increase your knowledge

[@RaghavPal]

You're welcome Imran. Humbled by your message

[@sounakdas1063]

I also agree

[@harithav9505]

I Agree too..this is clear to have a basic idea of what's API. ThnQ Sir :)

[@AnuY-u9u]

Really I too agree..thanks a lot

[@surabhisharma6608]

This is one topic which has so much information available on the internet including on youtube and yet i find myself continuing to come back to search for it again and again because something stays amiss. Thank you for this wonderful video and must I say that your style of speaking is very soothing and genuine. No flamboyance, only pure knowledge. You keep it real. Thanks.

[@RaghavPal]

Great to hear Surabhi

[@N03n03-e5y]

Let's pay him back by watching all the advertises on his videos, because that's the only way for him to make money

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks for your kind message

[@theweirdclub3945]

Loved your comment buddy

[@favouronuoha8134]

You are a gifted teacher. Few minutes in and I could already explain what an API is to another newbie..

[@RaghavPal]

So happy & humbled to read this

[@prachimuddapur]

It's so hard to make content simple. And impart that knowledge. Amazing!

[@RaghavPal]

So happy and humbled to see this message

[@sridharg8143]

Thanks Raghav for explaining API in simple terms for a layman like me. Amazing. Kudos to you.

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome Sridhar

[@piotrkrajniak3514]

This is actually what I needed..! I will remember now client -> waitress -> kitchen chef as an exmaple what is an API :) Thank you for sharing!

[@RaghavPal]

You're very welcome!

[@ro1246]

The most comprehensive teaching about API. I love your teaching style. Thank you so much!

[@RaghavPal]

You're very welcome Janine

[@samystick_on]

That was clear and concise. Now I got a clear idea what an API is, thanks.

[@RaghavPal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@samystick_on]

@@RaghavPal Yes, it was 💯

[@rasikbhuimbar2343]

This is the most simple and understandable explanation which I have seen so far...Great !!

[@RaghavPal]

Glad it was helpful Rasik

[@anilkumar-pq9ry]

Beautifully said, Gave me confidence to talk about API.

[@RaghavPal]

Glad to know this. Read API story here - automationstepbystep.com/stories/

[@pawanverma1390]

@@RaghavPal that's really nice story 👍

[@dataflow8419]

I understood before actually watching the whole video. Thanks a lot. It went a long way. The right message within a very short period.

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome

[@shukailu6731]

Hey Raghav, I love your channel and you are one of the best explainers on youtube for APIs, thank you!

[@RaghavPal]

You're welcome Shu

[@houseofrangoli7089]

You are the best teacher I am looking for these many years... Subscribed ur channel in the first video itself and am gonna watch all ur videos without miss from scratch... Hats off Sir.

[@RaghavPal]

Great, all the best

[@sahils007in]

Great source of information... Explained in layman terms .. Thank you for making it so easy ...

[@RaghavPal]

You're welcome Sahil

[@keerthis5211]

Best explanation so far I have seen. Explained in simple terms and it’s easy to understand

[@RaghavPal]

Glad it was helpful Keerthi

[@ayenidanielibikunle]

Mr. Pal, thanks for all you do.. What a nice tutorial. In fact, the best tutorial I've seen on APIs. I've been stuck for some weeks now because I wasn't understanding how and what to begin with on Payment Integration but with this tutorial, you have explained so much to me. Thank you.

[@RaghavPal]

So happy to see your message Ayeni

[@Kittysoftpaws11111]

I learned more in the first 4 mins of this video than all the others combined. Thank you so much for this

[@RaghavPal]

So happy to know this helped

[@solomon5050]

Excellent!!! I run all the advt without skipping.

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks

[@RaterisimoCBA]

Very simple presentation and perfect example as well. Subscribed ! Also an API maybe used if you don't want to create a functionality from scratch because it already exists (LOGIN for example) so you might want to use OAuth or some other login service that already exists and handles security protocols, etc for you without having to worry about encryption, data security , etc. So using an API can save you some time as a developer and complications in your project. :)

[@RaghavPal]

yes, well said

[@raghusundaram1057]

Really fantastic after a month of search now only i understand what is really an api . I appreciate 🙏 your work. Keep going 💪 ✨ 👌 👏

[@RaghavPal]

So glad and humbled to hear this, thanks Raghu

[@SuperSunrise22]

You are a fantastic teacher and you are doing an amazing deed with free accessibility to your content. Appreciate it. 🙏🏼 will definately recommend and share your video to all newbies who are trying to get into IT.

[@RaghavPal]

You are so welcome!

[@sumitnandwal2878]

@RaghavPal Its very difficult to explain correct thing in a simple way and you are really very good in it. The question what is an API is difficult to explain but the way you explained it is awesome. I can explain it very easily to anybody else now.

[@RaghavPal]

So happy to know this Sumit.. keep learning

[@sameerjadav3364]

Appreciate really simply explained and no more complicated words Thank you Will watching yiou and learning from you

[@cihanklckaya4957]

Whatever this guy explains, I understand it at once, all of it, great job!

[@RaghavPal]

Great to hear Cihan

[@teodortodorov4042]

Well and carefully explained tutorial. I like your approach man! You definently deserve more subscribers. Thank you i was so confused with this whole API's configurations and never really understood what are they and what are they used for but thanks to people like you now i have a general idea. Now its time to implement them :) Keep girnding and happy coding ! :)

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome Teodor

[@sandeeptanjore1253]

Concepts presented in a very simple yet power manner. Brief, crisp and to the point.

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks for watching Sandeep

[@sandeeptanjore1253]

@@RaghavPal You are welcome Raghav. A quick question - as I am a PL/SQL developer, how can I use Webservices or APIs in Oracle? if you have the know-how, where is the starting point for me or where should I begin? Please let me know.

[@RaghavPal]

I will need to check a little more to give you a good answer, will plan for it

[@sandeeptanjore1253]

@@RaghavPal Thanks Raghav, I will wait for your response.

[@AntuNeelesh]

It was a very good presentation bro :)

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks

[@Daft_punked]

Agreed,very clear. Thanks!

[@Qalb-e-bano]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/marQla2ueJ1gd6s

[@lisazhou7776]

I like your each video, you explained concepts simple and clear, easy to understand them. Thank you! Keep posting.

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome Lisa

[@jzonlivingson6336]

Some of the clearer explanations I've heard. Keep up the good work, man!

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks Jzon

[@somanipatro4891]

Hey Raghav.. Loved your videos.. It would be great if you could make series of videos for API testing. But to be honest your videos and way of teaching and showing real time examples .. great!!

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks Somani, noted

[@lahirukerala7500]

API understand in 7 mints. thank you so much for saving our time …..

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome Lahiru

[@playerkidk4308]

You are the best👍👍👍! Very knowledgeable instructor

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks for the kind words Arzu. Humbled

[@akonamoguejiofor6018]

This is a very good video to understand API, In fact, the best so far. This is a short but straight to the point video while extinguishing any confusion about what API is.

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks a lot for your message Akonam. Humbled

[@titusvisuals8920]

I'm proud to be as your subscriber dear sir..... Thank you so much for your stiving for us... ❤️From State of Andhra Pradesh

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome

[@bhanumathisudhakar3676]

Excellent presentation in a very simple language👍commendable ...

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks Bhanumathi

[@manreet1100]

I finally understand what an API is! Thank you so much

[@RaghavPal]

Glad it helped Manreet

[@urmilaravishankar3172]

Example is exemplary..this played the trick to massive success of this video 😊

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks for watching Urmila

[@TheAnyaLiu]

Raghav, thank you very much for the amazing material SchoolOfBasics. It is clear and understandable (even for me)!

[@RaghavPal]

So Glad to know this Аня

[@sgstradetalk9725]

Superb sir bahut hi easily aapne samjhaya . concept sabhi ko samjh me aajyega

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks

[@Elmotheswiftie]

Thank you for the simple to understand examples. It’s so helpful.

[@RaghavPal]

You're very welcome..

[@sandeepredhu2035]

Difference between web services and API is always in top list of my confusion. From this video I came to know what an API exactly is.

[@RaghavPal]

Glad to know this Sandeep

[@ashaojha7380]

Very well explained, I am pretty much confident about API after watching this

[@RaghavPal]

Glad to hear that Asha

[@manojkushwaha8064]

You are awesome, you are given a lot of information about API, which is a very simple way and just within 8 minutes. Thanks for the simple API definition.

[@RaghavPal]

most welcome Manoj, can get more here - automationstepbystep.com/

[@morninggraphics2052]

this what a presentation looks like ... simple words 😊 explained well.. thanks 🙏

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome

[@rameshlingadalli7067]

It was good explanation bro... Finally i can explain what is API to anyone

[@RaghavPal]

Glad to know Ramesh

[@abdullahmusheer4238]

very good and simple with good example explanation. You have done a great job many thanks.

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome

[@arun53413]

Hi Raghav, Need some clarification here. In your example of Online Booking system where it uses the API services of other application and gives the output. My question is so how it sends the API request to multiple applications at once (simultaneously) and gets the response, displays to the user.

[@RaghavPal]

Hi Arun, this is handled at the dev side of the application and backend process

[@shailajagpr7288]

woww... explained in a such a way that any one can easily understand.

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks a lot Shailaja

[@federicolecvine1147]

Loved it, clear and usefull, greetings from Argentina, and thank you for this info

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome Federico

[@shafeermohamed9495]

I think i need to start watching all your videos for my survival. Keep up the good work.

[@RaghavPal]

So happy & humbled to know this Shafeer, Can get all here - automationstepbystep.com/

[@shafeermohamed9495]

@@RaghavPal Thanks Raghav

[@dwaynemcpherson5379]

This is the best explanation I've ever heard.

[@RaghavPal]

So happy & humbled to see this

[@abhishekdubey6854]

One needs this as their foundation before jumping into the complexities it holds. Thanks :)

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome Abhishek

[@jaylee3941]

Best explanation of an API i've come across!

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks a lot Jay

[@thatmarathigirl607]

Brilliant explanation in most simple words..!!👌👌

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks a lot

[@rishikaraveendran8556]

This is just perfect!!! Thank you so much sir.!

[@RaghavPal]

You're welcome Rishika

[@vinnu333]

A very very brilliant presentation of an important topic with crystal clear explanation and good examples.. 👏

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks Vinil, humbled

[@anupkumar883]

Hi Raghav, very nicely explained the basic of API with a usecase in a 8 min video. I will look for more videos of yours if you have deep dived into APIs

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks for watching Anup, Can find all here - automationstepbystep.com/

[@anupkumar883]

@@RaghavPal thank you so much for sharing this Raghav.

[@rasikakumari1655]

So much thanks to this clear presentation.Big thanks again...!!!👍

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome Rasika

[@pradeepkasimsetty275]

Awsum, explained in a very simple way and for a better understanding

[@RaghavPal]

Glad it helped Pradeep

[@aamirkhan-mv4qj]

I really appreciate the way you explained. Makes it easy to understand.

[@RaghavPal]

Glad to know Aamir

[@gauravsoni-um8lv]

It is my first video on your channel. Just loved it. Keep making such kind of videos. God bless you.

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks for watching Gaurav

[@abhishekkushwaha5449]

Hey Raghav, you have made it so simple and easy to understand. Great work ! Thanks for posting this video

[@pavanmanny4523]

Good explanation Sir 😍....Could you pls tell me How can we identify soap API and REST API with examples ?

[@RaghavPal]

Hi Pavan SOAP and REST are two different types of web service APIs that are commonly used in software development. Here are some ways to identify them: SOAP API: WSDL: SOAP APIs typically use the Web Services Description Language (WSDL) to describe the service and its methods. WSDL is an XML-based language used to describe the functionality of a web service. You can identify a SOAP API by looking for a WSDL file or a URL that ends in ".wsdl". XML messages: SOAP APIs use XML messages to send and receive data. SOAP messages are typically more structured and have a strict schema defined in the WSDL file. SOAP headers: SOAP messages also contain SOAP headers that provide additional information about the message, such as authentication and encryption details. Example: Here is an example of a SOAP API request to get weather information: New York United States REST API: HTTP methods: REST APIs typically use HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE to interact with resources. You can identify a REST API by looking for URLs that contain the HTTP method name. JSON or XML payloads: REST APIs can use either JSON or XML payloads to send and receive data. JSON is becoming the more popular choice for REST APIs as it is more lightweight and easier to parse. Stateless: REST APIs are designed to be stateless, meaning that each request should contain all the information needed to complete the request. Example: Here is an example of a REST API request to get weather information: GET api.weatherapi.com/v1/current.json?key=API_KEY&q=New%20York&aqi=no In this example, we are using the HTTP GET method to request weather information for New York. The request URL contains the API key and query parameters needed to complete the request. The response will be in JSON format.

[@pavanmanny4523]

@@RaghavPal Thank you very much sir 😍....keep doing this.... you need for everyone who want to become a good automation tester.

[@keziabernard1754]

This was amazing! You did for me what my bootcamp couldn't within 6 months and $9000 later😭

[@RaghavPal]

So happy and humbled to know this helped Kezia.. keep learning

[@somethinghatke..502]

Hi, Can u tell or elaborate on the basic differences of API and Webservice with the same example of MakeMyTrip..??

[@RaghavPal]

I will do a session Sayan, for now: An API (Application Programming Interface) is the means by which third parties can write code that interfaces with other code. A Web Service is a type of API, one that almost always operates over HTTP (though some, like SOAP, REST can use alternate transports, like SMTP) 1. All Web services are APIs but all APIs are not Web services. 2. Web services might not perform all the operations that an API would perform. 3. A Web service uses only three styles of use: SOAP, REST and XML-RPC for communication whereas API may use any style for communication. 4. A Web service always needs a network for its operation whereas an API doesn’t need a network for its operation

[@himanshilatwal8452]

I think you are the only one here, who is representing everything in so easy manner.

[@RaghavPal]

I am so happy and humbled to see this Himanshi

[@csrajaraman]

If you used indigo website directly does it mean you have not used any API? Relating this to the restaurant analogy, the user makes a request via a browser to the website. So is that an API there too?

[@RaghavPal]

Hi Raj, today most of the communication happen through API calls. Even if you go to Indigo website, they may also be using api at the backend. As they are faster, efficient, secure.

[@amaltestjaradat3815]

thank you for your approach in simple and to the point but one question please if the medium was http and the format is json what is Rest representation ???

[@RaghavPal]

it depends on the developers too, what all representations they have added. mostly it should be application/json

[@voskilltheentertainer2564]

you are the best...ive understood what a api is using a simple illustration

[@RaghavPal]

humbled.. Thanks

[@voskilltheentertainer2564]

@@RaghavPal you are welcome

[@sayuri2814]

Perfect 💯💯 This is so easy than reading long notes

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks for watching Sayuri

[@doucefrance5481]

Thank you raghav, you great, clear and neat Can we also say that API work only: à la carte, temporary, on demand?

[@RaghavPal]

Hi, can say based on scenario

[@sivaprasad8267]

Hi...Please provide notes in PDF format,so that we can easily do revision....Thanks for sharing your knowledge in different way...Good explaination...

[@RaghavPal]

Will plan for that Siva, will have to check some external link for that

[@krzysztofbanach8014]

Hello Raghav, Very good, concise and clear explanation. Keep it up. Thank you so much for time to create this video. All the best! :)

[@RaghavPal]

You're welcome Krzysztof

[@natep7425]

Hello, I have a question. We are using a third-party SaaS provider that has a large amount of data we need to use in our proprietary application. They do have the means to extract the data via API, etc. We use the data in our proprietary application to create charts, etc. As it is a large amount of data we need to make use of, I am not sure if doing a GET request each time to fetch the data is ideal. Do you suggest pulling the data locally into our database and then retrieving the data from there? Also, do we use ETL for this? I am kind of new to ETL as well. What is the best approach?

[@RaghavPal]

Hi Nate, here we need to check the reliability of the systems and performance, if you run a GET api each time, how reliable is that, what is the turn around time, etc. In case it meets your expectation you can use this way. Pulling the data into your local is an option. In case the data is not dynamic and does not change real time, you can check for the feasibility of this option

[@sagarsarkar4207]

A very good explanation on API. Thank you so much . Can you please provide idea of How Appium works in school of basics.

[@RaghavPal]

Sure Sagar check this kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3mcq62BiZmaq6c

[@farashaik1208]

Very well explained, please explain the role of Buisiness Analyst with API and microservices

[@RaghavPal]

Sure, will add Fara

[@sandeepredhu2035]

Nice explanation. Thanks for clear out many doubts.

[@RaghavPal]

You're welcome Sandeep

[@AnilKumarfeb15]

Dear Raghav You are a wonderful man, Thanks for the explanation about API, In the basics please make a video for the basic knowledge on the API tags, separation and create them manually and understand the response without a tool.

[@RaghavPal]

Sure Anil, I will do

[@ephraimmca2137]

Medium- HTTP Format -JSON,XML Super

[@RaghavPal]

thanks for watching

[@amitasn1]

Very easy and explanation Raghav. Keep up the good work ☺️

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome Amit

[@cherukupallinavya7301]

Awesome..!! so simple and easy to understand.. Thanks alot..!!

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome!

[@shilpashravge8083]

Explained in simple manner !! Thanks

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome Shilpa

[@oleksiyiven3654]

Great and amazing! Subscribed! Glad I found you and thanks for what you do!

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome Oleksiy

[@Orderoll]

Most briliant explanation I've ever seen.

[@RaghavPal]

thanks

[@aatishr9908]

Really simple and nice!! Easier for a beginner to understand!! Thank you sir!

[@RaghavPal]

You are welcome Aatish

[@vikasgogna3026]

Worth sharing information on API. Very fruitful taught by you sir. Keep it up..!

[@RaghavPal]

Thanks a ton Vikas

[@AnushR27]

Thankyou Sir for this very clear explanation of an API with examples :)

[@sumitsaurabh548]

Very good information abt API Testing understand clearly,thanks..

[@RaghavPal]

You are most welcome Sumit

[@RashmitaPurkayastha]

Excellent 👍will follow your other video watching for first time and it's really good

[@RaghavPal]

Thank you so much Rashmita

[@Priyan_ka017]

Hello Sir, can u please help us understand how API is different from web services.

[@RaghavPal]

Hi Priyan, An API (Application Programming Interface) is the means by which third parties can write code that interfaces with other code. A Web Service is a type of API, one that almost always operates over HTTP (though some, like SOAP, REST can use alternate transports, like SMTP) 1. All Web services are APIs but all APIs are not Web services. 2. Web services might not perform all the operations that an API would perform. 3. A Web service uses only three styles of use: SOAP, REST and XML-RPC for communication whereas API may use any style for communication. 4. A Web service always needs a network for its operation whereas an API doesn’t need a network for its operation.

[@Priyan_ka017]

@@RaghavPal THANK you so much for the detailed and prompt response.

[@revathinarayanan6626]

Very clear explanation.Thanks a lot. I am a python automation tester. I would like to know how api coding looks like. For example, when someone says python module or python definition then I am able to visualize it and the same way I would like to know how api looks like.

[@RaghavPal]

Hi Revathi, this will help you - kzbin.info/aero/PLhW3qG5bs-L9E2KV6vVdB-YTk-sRxmRAB

[@sagarvyas1892]

This is such a beautiful explanation. Thank you very much

[@RaghavPal]

Most welcome Sagar

[@VNandini-je7tc]

Thank you so much for this simple yet amazing video.

[@RaghavPal]

Glad it was helpful Nandini

[@npayal4861]

Very nice explanation.Beautifully and simply explained!

[@RaghavPal]

Glad you liked it Payal

[@manuhs6767]

Sir,Thanks a lot for your Effective way of teaching and it's also easy to understand.

[@RaghavPal]

You're welcome Manu

[@manuhs6767]

Thanks Sir

[@nitishchowdary123]

Very nice sir ...awesome awesome i saw lot of videos but only i grasped the topic from you thank you so much

[@nitishchowdary123]

Do videos on spring boot please clearly

[@RaghavPal]

I will plan Jeevan

[@billp5793]

Very helpful video, very well done and very easy to understand. Thank you!

[@RaghavPal]

You're very welcome!

[@r.rajalakshmi369]

Please could you start UIpath RPA series. I am interested to learn it from you. with examples, as stories.

[@RaghavPal]

Sure, I will plan on it

[@r.rajalakshmi369]

@@RaghavPal Thank you so much