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Glossary Web & HTTP

API

An API (application programming interface) is a defined way for one piece of software to ask another to do something or share data.

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In more detail

Web APIs are reached over HTTP at URLs called endpoints and usually exchange JSON. Access is controlled with keys or tokens such as a JWT, and providers use Rate limiting to prevent overuse. Many follow the REST style.

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See also

  • Glossary REST
    REST (representational state transfer) is a common style for web APIs in which resources have URLs and standard HTTP methods act on them.
  • Glossary JSON
    JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight text format for structured data, built from objects, arrays, strings, numbers, true.
  • Glossary Rate limiting
    Rate limiting restricts how many requests a client can make to a service in a given time, to protect it from overload and abuse.
  • Glossary OAuth
    OAuth is a standard that lets one app act on your behalf at another service, such as "Sign in with Google".
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