API Notes

1. API
API stands for application programming interface, which is a set of definitions and protocols for building and integrating application software.
Use of API:
APIs are needed to bring applications together in order to perform a designed function built around sharing data and executing pre-defined processes. They
work as the middle man, allowing developers to build new programmatic interactions between the various applications people and businesses use on a daily
basis.
Features of API:
• An application programming interface is a software that allows two applications to talk to each other.
• Application programming interface helps in enabling applications to exchange data and functionality easily.
• The application programming interface is also called a middle man between two systems.
• Application programming interface helps in data monetization.
• Application programming interface helps in improving collaboration.
Types of API Architectures and Protocols
• REST API
The REST (Representational State Transfer) architecture is an approach to communications that favors a relatively simple interface between components
(clients and servers). It emphasizes a limited number of well-defined operations, each with a standard set of formats for arguments.
• SOAP API
A SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) API is a method for communication between different systems through an XML document. These documents are generally used in web services and help two systems communicate with each other, passing data back and forth over a network
connection.
• GraphQL API
GraphQL is a query language for APIs and a runtime for fulfilling those queries with your existing data. It provides a complete and understandable description of the data in your API. Further, it gives clients the power to ask for exactly what they need (and nothing more), makes it easier to
evolve APIs over time, and enables powerful developer tools.
API Platforms
CA API Management
CA API management helps you link systems, modify services, orchestrate data, and establish enterprise-grade APIs from many sources. It also streamlines API development, reducing time-to-market. Developers may cooperate on the platform and utilize the built-in mobile software
development kits (SDKs).
Azure API Management
Azure API Management is a cloud-based API administration solution with serverless API management, automatic scalability, and fast provisioning. The platform may be used to publish APIs to external and internal clients, as well as to manage microservices as APIs. Users may choose from a
variety of specific use models.
Akana API Management
API security, administration, and publication are all handled by the Akana platform’s end-to-end management solutions. Akana promotes digital outreach, promotes partner endorsement, and manages analytics to enhance data translation.
Tyk API Management
Tyk is an open-source API management platform including an API dashboard, developer dashboard, and API gateway.
AWS API Gateway
Amazon’s API Gateway allows developers to build, publish, monitor, and secure APIs. The gateway allows you to monetize APIs on the Amazon Marketplace.