What’s an API? A Beginners Guide to the Application Programming Interface

Hi, and welcome to the tech topic of the day: APIs!

But what actually is an API?

Well, I’m Andi Mann, V.P. of Strategic Solutions at CA Technologies. And I’m here to clarify this for you!

Technically speaking, they are Application Programming Interfaces

Allow me to explain…

API’s basically allow your product or service to talk to another product or service…

And they are used to give people access to your data/resources from outside the firewall.

This means opening up your product’s data and functionality to other developers both internally and externally

But how does that translate to everyday life?

We actually deal with API’s all the

time!

They are used to integrate websites and systems with other websites such as…

They are used to integrate websites and systems with other websites such as…

Amazon

They are used to integrate websites and systems with other websites such as…

Amazon

eBay

They are used to integrate websites and systems with other websites such as…

Amazon

eBay Twitter

They are used to integrate websites and systems with other websites such as…

Amazon

eBay Twitter

and Salesforce.com

API’s can also benefit your company by increasing traffic and sales!

I know what you’re thinking, “how can an API increase traffic AND sales?”

Well, say you run an online retail site and you give free API access to your product portfolio

Now other online retailers can include your portfolio of products on their websites

BOOM! Traffic

BOOM! Sales

But now that you understand the basics on API’s, I invite you to dive a bit deeper…

Check out my blogs on, “Securing the New API Economy” and “Why an API is Like a Loaded Gun” for more!