The document provides a quick introduction to APIs, explaining their purpose as a standard for communication between applications. It highlights typical use cases, such as integrating bank accounts into applications like Mint, and emphasizes the importance of having good APIs for online services to enhance user experience and drive business. The presentation addresses both technical definitions and practical applications, making it accessible to audiences without coding skills.

1. API FOR
DUMMIES
QUICK AND EASY INTRODUCTION
TO API
Gerard Pietrykiewicz
Project Manager, GOLDEN POINT SOLUTIONS

2. AGENDA
• Scope of the presentation
• Understanding the concept
• Learning by example
• What can you do with it
• Why should you care

3. SCOPE OF THE PRESENTATION
• API definition and explanation
• Typical use cases
• Tips of utilizing
Outside of scope:
• No coding skills required

4. AGENDA
• Scope of the presentation
• Understanding the concept
• Learning by example
• What can you do with it
• Why should you care

5. UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT
Wikipedia:
In computer programming, an
application programming interface
(API) specifies a software component
in terms of its operations, their inputs
and outputs and underlying types. Its
main purpose is to define a set of
functionalities that are independent of
their respective implementation,
allowing both definition and
implementation to vary without
compromising each other.

6. UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT
Human definition:
It is a language that allows two applications to talk to each other
without reconfiguring/rewriting both system.
It is a standard of communication.

7. UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT
People’s communication:
John speaks English -> talk to him in English
Ryusei speaks Japanese -> talk to him in
Japanese
When John needs Ryusei to do
something,
he needs to ask him in Japanese and

8. AGENDA
• Scope of the presentation
• Understanding the concept
• Learning by example
• What can I do with it
• Why should you care

9. LEARNING BY EXAMPLE
Software communication:
I have my standard of communication, that is my API, talk to me
only by using my standard.
I want to talk to you, what is your standard, I will talk to you only
in your standard

10. LEARNING BY EXAMPLE
Example:
https://demo.com/apiGateway.do?issuerId=1234567890 -> This is my address
&userLoginName=apiuser -> tell me who you are
&userPassword=password1 -> authenticate yourself
&operation=accountBalance&txnRequestMessage= -> tell me what you want to do
<transaction>
<accountBalance>
<account>
<accId>api00001</extraId> -> information #1
</account>
<currencyCode>USD</currencyCode> -> information #2
</accountBalance>
</transaction>

11. AGENDA
• Scope of the presentation
• Understanding the concept
• Learning by example
• What can you do with it
• Why should you care

12. WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH IT
Use MINT - mint.com:
You can manage all you bank accounts in one app – MINT
Tanks to secure API’s, it can get all sort of data from your Banks,
process and present it to you in beautiful and meaningful
manner

13. WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH IT
Log in with Google or Facebook:
Easier login process for your potential users. This integration
method can increase utilization of your web application or
mobile app.

14. AGENDA
• Scope of the presentation
• Understanding the concept
• Learning by example
• What can you do with it
• Why should you care

15. WHY SHOULD YOU CARE
If you provide any online service you need to have good API’s,
here is why:
1. Allows your partners to integrate with you, which drives more
business
2. Better user experience keeps your clients engaged
3. Good API is a sign of well organized and managed company

16. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION
Gerard Pietrykiewicz
Project Manager, GOLDEN POINT SOLUTIONS
+1 778 968 3189 | gerard@gpsolutions.ca
gpsolutions.ca | Skype: gery_lp640