What is an API and how does it work? (In plain English)

Discover what is an API and how you can use one to perform powerful integrations with other systems.
In this video, I'll explain what an API is using simple terms with a practical example. You'll also learn what an SDK is and how it can help with working with an API.
You'll learn about API keys, API endpoints, protocols and much more!
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ABOUT CODEWITHCHRIS:
Hi I’m Chris! I’m dedicated to teaching fundamentals about how to make an app. This is important if you’re trying to land an iOS job, be a freelancer, increase or start a business with an app idea. On this channel and my website, you'll find a ton of free resources and tutorials to aid you on your journey to learn iOS development. Many people have learned to code and build apps on their own! cwc.to/reviews
#API #ApplicationProgrammingInterface #CodeWithChris

[@CodeWithChris]

QOTD ⚡ Is there a specific API you'd like to see me demo? Let me know! 👇 Check out our CWC+ program with all our courses in a learning path ➡️ cwc.to/youtubeoffer

[@hansgerd2934]

Strava API

[@RobertR1611]

Weather or Google Maps API?

[@CodeWithChris]

Thanks! They're added to the list of topics we'll cover. -Kat

[@DenisAoXiaose]

gRPC would be interesting

[@davebrennan1509]

@@CodeWithChris Hi Chris good Teaching videos Sir, Now here's a challenge Do you think you can actually show people how to use this API from docs.turtlepay.io/blockapi/ there are hundreds of people would like to know.

[@Lululemon2023]

Best analogy for API ever, the passport application process.

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you! 🙌 - Kat

[@arthurgimba1310]

Same for me too…got an interview on that this morning

[@UdayKumar-zm4ft]

@@arthurgimba1310 how did it go?

[@socb5642]

True

[@morball6668]

The problem might be on my end, but this is the only video that actually helped me understand APIs.

[@CodeWithChris]

So, so glad to know this. Thank you and all the best! :-) -Arthur

[@veremox]

worked nicely for me too. many other explanations don't actually materialize the concept leaving us with api being a magical force that you talk with to develop programs ahahah. great video! =)

[@magicmedia7950]

Me too . Went through a 2hr video and only understood from this 7 minutes video what is an AP I😂

[@BostonTerrierDad623]

Absolutely phenomenal presentation, speaking in "cornbread language" to those of us who require the basics but also those more advanced who can learn without feeling they are in remedial situations. This was fantastic & becoming more & more predominant to the masses

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you so much for watching! - Pat

[@youvegotmail9385]

Couldn't agree more. Content creators forget that their viewers are noobs, so they need to slow the fuck down and be extremely clear when presenting. lol.

[@hockey_rules]

Clear, concise with real-world examples. Excellent video, keep up the great work!

[@CodeWithChris]

Thanks for your kind words, Randy! Made our day! :-) -Arthur

[@adaps15]

This video is the best I've seen on the topic because you use an actual example of an API and explain it step by step. Every other video just explains the concept without actually displaying the thing they are talking about. Thanks for this!

[@CodeWithChris]

Best comment, thanks for your kind words. Means a lot! :-) -Arthur

[@TheChef1984]

This was a perfect level of depth for me as a delivery manager trying to increase my technical knowledge. The examples were the key. The analogy’s I’ve seen elsewhere are helpful to a point, but seeing you literally put a URL into a browser with the relevant inputs and then seeing the structured response come back was the light bulb moment.

[@CodeWithChris]

Glad it was helpful! :) - Pat

[@ForsakePariah]

I've watched 4 of the top "what is API" videos under ten minutes on youtube and this is the best I"ve seen. None of the others explained endpoints, protocols, or API keys. They also didn't show real API examples. Nice job!

[@CodeWithChris]

WOW, thank you so much, Justin! Glad we helped! We can never appreciate you enough. :-) -Arthur

[@SC-hp5dn]

This video was honestly very helpful. I’m learning data science and wanted to learn how to use Twitter APIs. If you have any video on that it’ll be of great help. This one is an amazing video that answered a lot of my questions . Thank you so much 😊

[@CodeWithChris]

Grateful for people like you. Thank you for learning with us! -Arthur

[@justyai1409]

What a lovely and clear way of explaining what an API is. Loved it! Excellent video!

[@CodeWithChris]

This means a lot. Thank you! -Arthur

[@jimmylee3760]

finally a great video for me to understand the structure of API clearly

[@lowrimordecai6822]

This was super super helpful, thank you so much for explaining this so simply!

[@mattsimon931]

I really enjoyed seeing the practical examples used.

[@lizzyshen233]

i watched several videos talking about API but still pretty confused with this topic. but this video gives it such a clear explanation! it helped me a lot! thank you so much!

[@CodeWithChris]

Your comment made our day. Thank you so, so much! -Arthur

[@islapthebass]

Thanks Chris, spot on analogy (really good because they were both pipeline-processes) ; finally "clicked". Your clarity, no non-sense, and immediate show-casing of examples drive it home.

[@CodeWithChris]

Cheers, thank you so, so much! Your kind words make all the hard work that we put into our content so worth it! :-) -Arthur

[@vijayas8007]

hey wonderful ..After scouring the net for a long time i found an apt explanation for API that is short and to the point.Thanks and keep it going more about API and API manager and other technologies as well. I was impressed by the voice as well.

[@VK-nf2wb]

this is by far the most straight forward explanation i've come across. Kudos to u!

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you so much! -Arthur

[@toluwojay]

Thank you so much chris. This made it so easy to wrap my head around the concept of api and endpoints.

[@CodeWithChris]

Glad that we were able to help you! Subscribe for more. :) -Arthur

[@kgbjeremy483]

I was impressed by the clarity of your explanation. I totally understand and can now explain it. Thanks

[@CodeWithChris]

Your comment made our day, thank you so much for your kindness! -Arthur

[@RingoKTP777]

Thank you Chris! This was really helpful and really easy to understand!

[@CodeWithChris]

Wow, makes all our hard work so worth it! :-) -Arthur

[@GfoxSim]

After so many videos I’ve watched on KZbin, I finally understand what an API is and what it does. Thank you so much, I really enjoyed this video! It’s the best explanation of an API.

[@CodeWithChris]

Your comment made our day! This motivates us even more to keep on producing quality content. Keep on going, Simphiwe! :-) -Arthur

[@rekapapp3288]

I am addicted to your voice tone, it is so comforting and it makes my brain concentrate on what you're explaining, it doesn't sound boring at all, in fact makes me more interested!!! I love it. Very nice voice.

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you so much! Your support is so appreciated. :) -Arthur

[@jdawg414]

Really appreciate the real world example!

[@mahtotgher6960]

Loved it! You explained it way better than my uv teacher

[@kendrawilkerson3227]

I"m just getting into APIs in my bootcamp, and this was super helpful for me! thank you!!

[@CodeWithChris]

Fantastic to know this, Kendra! Keep on going! -Arthur

[@geniusonyeo]

Wow, I'm so happy that I saw your video! I have absolutely 0 clue about API. Now I think I get the gist of it. Thank you so much!

[@CodeWithChris]

Glad it was helpful! :) -Pat

[@Ian-bb7vv]

clearly explained. thank you. I like your way of using practical examples to show the concept and the easy English used in the video.

[@CodeWithChris]

Cheers, Ian! Thanks for learning with us! :-) -Arthur

[@reachtrev69]

Till now I have been making API's in my class based off the requirements they need, but now I actually understand it thank you.

[@CodeWithChris]

Glad we helped, thank you for learning with us! -Arthur

[@UdayKumar-zm4ft]

Thanks alot. U explained what my teacher couldnt explain for months

[@CodeWithChris]

Love it, thank you so much! -Arthur

[@lachygordon506]

Great video! This was super helpful - really well explained and so simple too

[@CodeWithChris]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for learning with us! - Iñaki

[@caramelcheezit6978]

This was so helpful!!! I am someone with almost no tech knowledge; complete beginner and I came across terms like this during my third year of college when I tried to take IT classes; never fully understood it. I changed to a data analytics minor in senior year. However, I am taking the google cloud digital leader cert rn and I need to know these terms. I also need to know them for my job. Your content is amazing!! thanks:)

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you so much for the kind words!!! :) - Pat

[@Karthickmasanmasan]

Great work Chris, your Passport example was making ease in understanding the working nature of an API, Thank you.

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you for the kind words! :) - Pat

[@Mrnovanova]

Thank you for this video. Simple and to the point.

[@CodeWithChris]

Yay, thank you so so much! -Arthur

[@mre2164]

First api video that I understand. Thank you!

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you for watching! - Pat

[@kbbb4227]

Great voice, very calming. Thank You.

[@CodeWithChris]

Cheers, Karl! Thanks for dropping by! :-) -Arthur

[@choondoichai]

thanks a lot. really learned something in this short video. very easy to understand.

[@CodeWithChris]

Yay, thanks for learning with us! We're happy that you found us. Keep on going! -Arthur

[@alec3979]

Amazing video and easy to follow. Thank you so much for your work.

[@CodeWithChris]

Thanks for the love, Alec! Keep on going! -Arthur

[@modaralkasem4027]

this is most simple explanation ever ,thank you

[@CodeWithChris]

Great to know, Modar! Keep on going and thank you for learning with us! -Arthur

[@jorgeastiazaran]

Great explanation! Thanks Chris!!

[@CodeWithChris]

You're so welcome! :-) -Arthur

[@jonathanthedeceptikon]

Fantastic explanation, thank you!

[@CodeWithChris]

You're very welcome! - Pat

[@sumildepala9932]

so clear. best explanation I've come across. cheers

[@CodeWithChris]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching! - Iñaki

[@ApoorvaGarg0308]

Best explanation.. out of 100 videos i watched.

[@CodeWithChris]

Wow, thank you so, so much! All the best to you! :-) -Arthur

[@ncao]

well in detail description of API. THANKS FOR THIS TUTORIAL

[@CodeWithChris]

You are so welcome! :-) -Arthur

[@jay17hills]

Wow, such a clear explanation!

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you so much! :-) Much appreciated! -Arthur

[@keithrandrade]

Helpful and clear! Thanks!

[@CodeWithChris]

Happy to know this. Thank you so much! -Arthur

[@X161King]

This really helped me thank you.

[@CodeWithChris]

You are so welcome. Thanks for learning with us! -Arthur

[@TylerStanczak]

One of the only videos that actually explained it perfectly. Thank you! :)

[@CodeWithChris]

Your comment made our day, Tyler! Thank you so much! -Arthur

[@TylerStanczak]

@@CodeWithChris you made my day with this video. Trying to teach myself a few things for my job so this helped :)

[@mohamedaboelfotoh7692]

This is sooo useful! Many many thanks!

[@CodeWithChris]

Shukran for your support! Alhamdullilah! -Arthur

[@jamestorrance6102]

Very clear explanation, thank you!

[@CodeWithChris]

Glad you enjoyed it! - Pat

[@Nikee287]

Straightforward and concise, nice video

[@CodeWithChris]

Yay, thank you so much! -Arthur

[@kirkorson3255]

The way you explained APIs it gets no better

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you so much, Kirk! -Arthur

[@cigdemturkmen]

very clear, great analogy. thank you

[@CodeWithChris]

Cheers, thank you so much! -Arthur

[@alexdorgan407]

This is super helpful, thank you!

[@CodeWithChris]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching! - Iñaki

[@lolmeeky]

thank you so much! i super appreciate your approach to teaching, subscribed!

[@CodeWithChris]

Thanks for the support!! Means a lot! - Pat

[@JezLerman]

Perfect. Liked. Subscribed. Thank you for posting this video.

[@CodeWithChris]

Ah, thanks for making our day! All the best! -Arthur

[@monkecrus]

knowledge is power, thank you chris

[@CodeWithChris]

You are so welcome! :) -Arthur

[@kotrynele]

Thanks a lot! Loved it!

[@CodeWithChris]

Yay, keep on going, Katherine! -Arthur

[@wandab3843]

This is the best explainer for APIs. Thank you. New sub.

[@CodeWithChris]

Hello! Thank you so much! We're glad you found your video valuable! :) --Joash

[@djguy100]

Great vid and a simple easy explanation. Subscribed 👍🏻👌🏻

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you so, so much for your support! :-) -Arthur

[@michaelloftus9733]

Thanks took me a while to find a solid explanation on API's

[@CodeWithChris]

Great to know, Michael! Keep on going! -Arthur

[@sakilalama7891]

Your video is much clearer than my prof’s lecture videos. Thank you for this.

[@CodeWithChris]

Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for learning with us! - Iñaki

[@jaym4358]

Wonderful explanation and example. Definitely subscribed to your content.

[@CodeWithChris]

Hey Jay! Thanks for the support! :) - Pat

[@idc20627]

great explanation. thanks dude!

[@CodeWithChris]

You are so welcome! -Arthur

[@HackerNoon]

Such a great video. This video is easy to understand about API

[@CodeWithChris]

Awesome, glad we helped you! :-) -Arthur

[@abe10]

Loved it Chris!

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you!! 🙌 -Kat

[@Nisha-td5cq]

what a helpful video thank you!

[@CodeWithChris]

You're so welcome. Keep on going! -Arthur

[@waleligndamene9722]

That is an obvious and concise explanation, thanks a lot. I want to see a demo of a payment gateway API, would you show us, please?

[@nandamandir7880]

Excellent, good explanation with an example

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you so much, Nanda! We appreciate you a ton! -Arthur

[@jourdan6947]

Amazing video and explained very well.

[@CodeWithChris]

Cheers, keep on going! :) -Arthur

[@ndivhusimali1831]

Very informative, I enjoy your videos.

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you so much! -Arthur

[@RoryDavidWatts]

A note on your sound (in case it helps) - the volume of your speech fluctuates, and I think it's a mixing problem. My best guess is you have a compressor with a long release. There seem to be periods where the volume is normal, then they get pulled down for a little while, before raising back to normal. This can be slightly distracting once you notice it. Just to point it out. I thought it was a wonderful video, and you're doing a great job! Thanks

[@CodeWithChris]

Thanks for the feedback and for your kind words, Rory! :-) -Arthur

[@Riya-uh4zm]

Great ... thank you Chris

[@CodeWithChris]

You're welcome! :-) -Arthur

[@user-vx5hc3xg5g]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@CodeWithChris]

You're welcome! - Pat

[@govindkumar-pr9th]

thanks for making us understand in easiest way ....

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you as well for learning with us! -Arthur

[@kuroshiki6167]

quite helpful. Subscribed :D and thanks :)

[@CodeWithChris]

Glad to have you here! Welcome! @AdrienVillez

[@EddieAndMum]

Really helpful, thankyou.

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you so so much! -Arthur

[@ramirez368]

Best explanation for the concept

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you for the kind words! - Pat

[@tommytran5962]

that was really good. thank you

[@CodeWithChris]

Yay, thank you so much! -Arthur

[@mediatwinkleTV]

This is how people should make videos but everybody wants to project "I'm smart". Thank you sir !!!!

[@CodeWithChris]

Your comment made our day. Thank you so much! -Arthur

[@munobatoor6604]

A really good example, one understands it in seconds

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you for watching! - Pat

[@steven8667]

That explination was great.

[@CodeWithChris]

Cheers, thank you! -Arthur

[@Martin-pb7ts]

Really great video thanks.

[@CodeWithChris]

Cheers, thank you so much, Martin! :) -Arthur

[@amitrai6471]

Hey Chris can you make a video on OAuth api with real life example it is very helpful for us! Have a good day

[@CodeWithChris]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll add that to our list. -Kat

[@stevencwest]

You are awesome and you teach quite well.

[@CodeWithChris]

Thanks for the feedback! We really appreciate it.👍 -Kat

[@Sporthighlights637]

Thank you for the explanation Chris, it was really easy. I was just wondering if you can or already made a video about how to edit an existing API such that it shows the information that you added (e.g print a message) when a call to the API is made.

[@CodeWithChris]

Unfortunately, we don't have that tutorial yet! - Pat

[@bbowling4979]

Excellent demo as always. I would love to see a video on the GooglePay or ApplePay API please?

[@CodeWithChris]

Cheers! Submit your suggestion here: app.productstash.io/codewithchris#/ideas -Arthur

[@andrewwachira1]

Thank you so much sir for helping me understand what APIs are especially with the passport example. No one could have made me understand better than your explanation God bless

[@CodeWithChris]

This is so great to hear, Andrew! All the best to your projects! :-) -Arthur

[@yogirajtambade6449]

Very Good language and presentation, Background audio, Everything good.

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you so much! - Pat

[@waqasarshad7839]

Excellent way to communicate

[@CodeWithChris]

Cheers, Waqas! :-) -Arthur

[@thesmartest1919]

thanks . clear explanation

[@CodeWithChris]

Awesome, thanks for learning with us! :-) -Arthur

[@PR03]

great video . thanks !

[@CodeWithChris]

Thank you so, so much! -Arthur

[@elnatan9999]

Thank you!❣

[@CodeWithChris]

You are so welcome! - Pat

[@CherishArtPortfolio]

Thank you sir!

[@CodeWithChris]

You're welcome! - Pat

[@shrutideshmukh6191]

very nice explanation

[@ruliruli7634]

Hi Chris, could you please do a demo for API TTS Watson from IBM? And thanks for the videos, i learned so much from you!

[@CodeWithChris]

We'll take note of your suggestion, thank you for the support! :-) -Arthur

[@Kaushik-RoyChowdhury]

Hi @CodeWithChris, the lucid description is off course highly appreciable and helps all learn the topic in an interesting way. However as a creator myself, I am even more amazed at the slides and the appropriate images and animations on them. How do you achieve this level. What image sources and video editors and other tools and resources are you using. Please share it with people like me which will be highly regarded.

[@CodeWithChris]

We appreciate your support, Kaushik! So glad that you chose to learn with us! :-) -Arthur

[@Kaushik-RoyChowdhury]

Can I get a reply to my query about the stock images and other software etc used to make such a presentation?

[@sukhanthsuki73]

@@Kaushik-RoyChowdhury Image and post processing doesnt matter when you provide a crisp explanation of what is what. Free hand drawing suffice.

[@Kaushik-RoyChowdhury]

@@sukhanthsuki73 I would let the author answer this question. He will know what I am after, right.

[@charlesokehie6940]

Would love to see, an example with any of the major streaming services. Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO etc... thanks!

[@CodeWithChris]

Stay tuned for that! - kat

[@mikeh5431]

Thanks, v helpful

[@CodeWithChris]

Glad to hear! Thanks for watching. - Kat

[@stephenb7498]

Has anyone told you that you should become a " Tutor " HsHa. You are a natural Teacher. Great Video.

[@CodeWithChris]

Cheers, Stephen! Appreciate it! -Arthur

[@53strat55]

Awesome video, subbed!

[@CodeWithChris]

Welcome to the CodeCrew family! Means a lot! :) -Arthur