What is an API?

In this What Is Wednesday I answer the question, What Is an API?
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A Web API is an application programming interface (API) for either a web server or a web browser. It is a web development concept, usually limited to a web application's client-side (including any web frameworks being used), and thus usually does not include web server or browser implementation details such as SAPIs or web browser engine APIs unless publicly accessible by a remote web application.

[@rossallan184]

Been listening to syntax podcast lately and really enjoying it. Thought I'd come check your channel out.. as a beginner to everything web dev this is brilliant! Keep up the good work folks.

[@RealToughCandy]

Excellent explanation.

[@akinhwan]

awesome recap, i like seeings things explained differently. What is that browser extension you are using to view the json data? is that just your console? or is that the new console for a nightly build of firefox?

[@syntaxfm]

It seems to be the standard Firefox interface on the Developer's Edition. Not sure if it's in normal FF or the nightly. This video was the first time I had seen it myself.

[@davidhanover8224]

so an API, as i understand it, is just a series of functions written by someone else, that do a thing they specified for you, sometimes on their servers, sometimes they'll let you download their packages and do it on your servers. am i getting this right? traditionally, an API is a series of functions that are run by the creators' servers that you have to wait for. usually, their API is just an abstraction over some SQL queries that they run for you. does graphQL aim to replace SQL? i've been wondering, why not just allow the client to run SQL queries straight from the front end? Obviously injection issues and table deletion and stuff, but there's got to be some work-around.

[@markadell]

What is docker? What is kubernetes? Also could you let us know what is in your list for the next what is videos? So that we don't suggest things that are already there.

[@chrisdizzle313]

Hey bro, could u do a video on securing ur api keys in applications you push to prod?

[@akinhwan]

i've seen people git ignore it gist.github.com/derzorngottes/3b57edc1f996dddcab25

[@HellFox92]

Hi Scott, What browser and extension are u using in 2:30 to show JSON?

[@syntaxfm]

I think that's just how Firefox developers edition does it.

[@HellFox92]

LevelUpTuts Thank you :)

[@oguzakankan518]

which color scheme/theme are you using?

[@syntaxfm]

+Oğuz Akankan Level Up Theme on VSCode

[@victorvillacis6764]

it looks a bit like Dracula theme to me

[@oguzakankan518]

LevelUpTuts Thanks really cool stuff

[@syntaxfm]

Dracula is a bit more pastel-ed out this is Level Up Official, my own theme.

[@tarekhusam]

i love you dude keep it , when i come a billionaire i will give you 10 millions just for you

[@syntaxfm]

That would be super rad of you.

[@davidlavergne8655]

Could you do a "What is..." on Travis CI?

[@kissu_io]

Hi, I just got the error 'doAThing' is an undefined method, can you HALP PLS ? NB: this ofc a joke. :P