What Are APIs? - Simply Explained

APIs are very technical, and yet they are used everywhere. Simply put: APIs allow different apps and services to work together in various ways. In this video, I'll highlight four ways in which APIs can be used: to access data, to hide complexity, to extend functionality, and for security/privacy reasons.
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[@ahmermirza]

I always wondered if the apps like Uber built their own map from the scratch. Now, I know that they are probably using some API. The many examples quoted in this video are good enough to grasp the concept really well. Thank you!

[@theanonymoustechie]

I think they are using the Google maps api, they have a ton on info about it, check out maps api on google

[@mavhunter8753]

That's actually a great example, I'm going to use that restaurant example in the future.

[@ahmdm2036]

I quit my job at MacDonalds after realizing i am an api

[@jeanrochelllegaspi5712]

omg

[@huijunkim3967]

Isn't that what society is? Being APIs for each other.

[@shaurya4242]

Stolen comment...and it's McDonald not MacDonald

[@mvisperas]

You can do it! Even a Pennsylvania miner can do coding per Joe Biden.

[@anynameisokay]

I laughed way harder than I should

[@dnyhouse1]

It's sometimes challenging for me to grasp complex technical issues (I have a background in political sciences) and normally I need 3-4 videos/sources to understand something but you explained it so well that I don't need to watch the other ones. Big time & brain energy saver so thanks a lot.

[@anuar.m.y]

god! when i was attempting to learn about VPNs and the different types and different mechanisms! i had to watch 5 different videos until one made sense and explained it in a very simple fashion (search VPN mailbox explanation in youtube) and this made perfect sense!!

[@ICANTHEARHER2222]

You do a good job of applying real life examples and giving the full spectrum

[@RawHebrewRemnant]

After trying to figure this out for a few years, you made it extremely simple in just 7 minutes. VERY WELL DONE SIR! Thanks

[@patrickbarry9027]

From a buzz word to a relatively good understanding in 45 seconds. That's the one statement that has been the most valuable in understanding API for me. Well done.

[@DasWompus]

Thank you! My background is in power engineering, but a set of models I have come across have required me to delve into some basic programming/database applications! Just understanding some of these terms that are being used really helps me be able to work through these manuals a lot easier!

[@RachitMalvi]

I don't know how many videos I had watched(before watching this explanation) to understand this concept. This video gave me the clarity that I was always looking for. Thank you very much!!

[@simplyexplained]

Great to hear!

[@TheMR-777]

Simply Explained: It made my Mind Open. As a newly becoming Software Engineer, I used to think how difficult it might be to "Communicate" between Apps, like Maps, and such. As I wanted to use the power of already existing Apps. Now I came to know there are so-called, "APIs" available which let us Interact with applications. Thank you for such a wonderful, complete and comprehensive information, Explained Simply :)

[@moonlighterx]

It's great to have subtitles. I can understand the video by translating it into my own language. Thanks so much again :)

[@rohanradia142]

Another great video 👌 will help a lot of the new developers.

[@user-yq7ip3jy3r]

this is such an perfect way to explain API'S like seriously Thank you sm!

[@vmpdtv174]

Thank you for helping the non-developers and beginners understand what an API is

[@dwaynelattimore819]

The true geniuses of the world are those who can take what's complicated and make it immediately understandable when teaching with creativity. 🎨 I will also be adopting this analogy! Thank you!

[@xsApollo]

I can't say thank you enough for that great presentation. God bless you. I would subscribe to your channel because of this video alone.

[@moyavannesa8506]

Thank you for sharing this information. Lately I have had to keep date with this type of information since I am running an online business with facebook, I was concerned with the Apps Modes and while reading along the instructions I realized I had not ideas what and API was. I highly appreciated that you haven taken the time to educate us.

[@goodness8895]

Awesome! I'm a prgramming newbie, the animation to display what the APIs work is very clear for me!

[@natalya6663]

Thank you for the video! Of all the videos on KZbin, this is an understandable video, straight for those people who do not fumble. Thanks a lot!

[@brucetracy8079]

Excellent tutorial. You definitely understand your stuff to be able to explain it so clearly. Well done!

[@waynesrealworld5801]

This is one of the best explanations I have seen yet. Great job and thank-you for putting this out there

[@deanos360]

Really fantastic and clear instruction. Thank you for producing this!

[@its.graceaudrey]

This video gives smart and various exemples, I feel really confident talking about API now thank you !

[@sadie1837]

Thanks for the explanation. A few years ago, I started learning API but became disinterested because it was taught in a complex way. Now that I have watched your video, I am thinking about learning it again.

[@ZhDinerstein]

What a great video. Restaurant analogy is perfect. So easy to understand. Thank you!'

[@arumandkun]

Thanks a lot! Nice metaphor (the restaurant one): It makes things clearer. :)

[@SpookshowBabie]

I did not expect that cambridge analytica tie in, I love that this was mentioned, not enough people know about it! Thanks for the video!

[@McCallumClips]

FANTASTIC VIDEO! Well done. You covered everything in an easy to understand and relative way. Would love to hear what negative things were said about this. I can't imagine what they would say.

[@kamal-hassan]

Wow! This is the first time I finally understood the API thing. Wow I'm so excited. I feel superiority that I finally knew a lot of behind the scenes things. Thank you!

[@fleand86]

Thank you so much. This is was I needed, a quick and clear explanation!

[@allypally4]

Super helpful and simple example. Saw another video before this using the waiter example, but this one hit different. Great video

[@gijbuis]

Earlier computer 'application programs' (as distinct from 'system programs') were independant coding entitities aimed at performing tasks for computer users. A program consists of a 'front-end' (interaction with the user) and a 'back-end' (interaction with data repositories). But as networking increased, application programs interlinked to each other, blurring the distinction between front-end and back-end. Programs communicate with other programs and the API is the interface they use to communicate with each other.

[@RAHULKUMAR-wn8po]

Well explained. After searching many videos I finally got it with your video. Appreciate your efforts how simply you explained. Thank you so much.

[@Elocinization]

This was so helpful and clear - just what I needed! Thank you!!

[@Hobbit2314]

This is by far the best explanation to the topic that I have watched

[@JessicaTSmith]

Thank you for the straight forward and easily digestable explanation!

[@raguv6553]

Done

[@guliyarkhassanova7475]

Very clear and simple explanation of an api, thank you so much!

[@westhillshighschoolikorodu4381]

This video has been able to give me the basic knowledge on API. Thanks a lot

[@fieroviart]

This is the right way to explain APIs even to children!!! Good explanation

[@rajeshbhosale2008]

Excellent simplified explanation of API! Thanks! 👍🏻

[@runde3201]

I love you... im a Chef but due to current physical conditions i have i decided to switch to something less physically straining.... and this example is the thing that literally made everything for me easier to understand.... I thank you...

[@shendrew]

Actually signed in to give this video a 'like' - that's how good it is!!!

[@musicfunny4388]

So great, with many realistic example, so cool, Thanks for your work

[@raychelleinjete4024]

Thank you for simplifying this subject..

[@zacstred452]

This was really helpful, and the illustrations looked great. One question: is it considered polite to tip your API 20%? 🤓

[@btssam]

What helped clarify it to me is this: An API is just a function. A developer writes a function/script and may let others interact with that function (give Input/see Output) through the web. It can do anything a function can do. If these examples help others, that's great, but it leads me a bit astray from what API's actually are.

[@kagayakuangel5828]

That was a great explanation. Now I feel llike I know what an API is. It's a tool that connects apps to the system in order to hide complexity and make our lives easier. Plus, rather than painfully having to figure out access a user's data through our own methods, we can use the system.

[@randomly_random_0]

this is clearest explanation about API

[@KaderTaek]

Perfect, I watched it till the end simple and clear

[@danieleliyahu3014]

Great, simple and short. Thank you.

[@ernikitamalviya]

Wow!!! Thanks for this great explanation!

[@kanupriyas3253]

This is brilliant, truly simple!!!! Please add some videos on API

[@mayajones9961]

This video is so amazing. Straight and to the point.

[@vonjohnson5504]

This is a nice video. This helped solidify my understanding of API.

[@kristina-alexandra]

Wow thank you. Wonderfully explained, easy to understand 🙏

[@nahidparvez7346]

BEST BEST BEST!! This video is the best content about the introduction for API

[@chanwitwuttioei5361]

you're Cleary explaining. Thank you

[@diamondinferno42069]

Perfect explanation, thank you for such a great video!

[@Spaniards56]

Thank you for all the information which for me is COMPLETELY NEW! Actually, the analogy of the waiter is great!

[@d.harrison1570]

Excellent explanations. I'm bookmarking this one.

[@Gcenzi]

Best explanation I've ever had about APIs

[@dorothyglade9087]

Thanks for the video. It was really helpful to me as a student!

[@readss]

took me 1 minute of the video to understand, ur so good at explaining

[@Sanam7]

Very well explained. Thank you!

[@rockpvaler]

That was a perfect explanation! Thanks for the video!

[@AngL70]

I found this really helpful and easy to understand, thank you

[@djfago6240]

This is the perfect explanation. Thank you sir

[@abofaiz2348]

😍😍😍What a simple and wonderful explanation ❤Warm regards to you from my depth heart

[@emmavanhise8739]

Thank you! As a content writer you made it so clear Love it.

[@itguy77]

best vid until now to grasp the concept

[@1956paterson]

This was very helpful with good clear examples.

[@anonofDeath]

Thank you so much! The google definition confused me. This video was great and I really appreciate this level of effort. Thank you!!!!

[@belowasmelashgebremariam]

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[@anthonytcool350]

very good explanation and make a newbie to understand it easily!

[@fernando_dominguez]

the best API explanation thanks a bunch guys!

[@zsvoyage]

So well explained, with easy to understand examples and clear structure. Thank you!

[@BrendaJMedley]

Thank you for simplifying APIs.

[@user-cz9xu5uz6u]

this video is fantastic! It finally makes sense!

[@OneTapFuture]

I cannot thank you enough for the analogies! The comparisons really allow that "aha" moment :)

[@marwahmaher8574]

thanks for sharing this video, it was so useful

[@browneye1968]

Thank you very much for these important infos and explanation. Great efforts. Great channel. I subbed

[@vivekjoshi937]

Thanks, this is nice explanation!

[@brookesam9537]

Super helpful video and analogy. Thank you

[@bluecherry-hart4786]

Nice video, really well thought out and presented. *thumbs up* indeed

[@blackkiritok]

Thank you soo much. This video was amazing!

[@bhaskerkanna3576]

Really good The points are explained well with examples

[@lauraduru1987]

Thank you very much for the explanation It really did a lot

[@syedumair4622]

3:57 I think it's the 'Kernel' that allows the application to gain access/permissions from the user.

[@ForeverMan]

In the end it's the same thing

[@belowasmelashgebremariam]

It's nice one

[@randyaven6377]

Excellent explanation! Thank you!!

[@jonny4866]

Very clearly explained, thank you.

[@johnklotz6836]

very helpful! thank you for this video!

[@cloned81]

Great explanation and nice supporting visuals. I applaud thee

[@jinkygarcia5799]

Great explanations.Well done!

[@hem89180]

Nice as always Savjee!

[@ashleypursell9702]

really good video, clear and concise

[@adarsh9634]

That's a Great Explanation.. Thank you

[@adiek14]

This is really good! Thank you!

[@chinmayakumarbehera4754]

Graphics game on point, explanation, even better. SUBBED!!!

[@anmjubaer]

Great explanation. Liked and subscribed.

[@onerishigood]

Simply and efficiently explained Great

[@bitelogger]

The best explanation of this topic ever