What is API in Simple Terms ?: Tech Simplified
In today’s digital world, APIs are everywhere, enabling different applications to communicate and exchange data with each other. But what exactly is an API? How can we explain this complex concept to a 5-year-old? In this article, we will break down the concept of APIs into simple terms that a 5-year-old can understand. We will also explore how APIs are used in real-world applications such as Swiggy and take a closer look at the different types of APIs available. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of what APIs are, how they work, and the different types of APIs that are commonly used today. This article is part of the wider learning series of PCG’s Product Learning Program.
How do you explain API to a 5 year old ?
Do you know how when you play with your toys, you can make them do different things, like making your toy car go forward or making your doll say something? Well, a computer program is like a toy that can do lots of things too, but instead of you playing with it directly, it talks to other computer programs to get things done.
An API is like a special way that two computer programs can talk to each other and share information. It’s like when you and your friends have a secret code or a special way of talking that only you know, so that you can understand each other and play games together.
With an API, one program can ask another program to do something for it, like asking a weather app to tell you what the weather will be like today. The weather app then sends back the information to the first program, so that it can use it to do whatever it needs to do.
So in short, an API is like a secret code that lets computer programs talk to each other and share information.
Explanation of API using Swiggy App
Swiggy is a popular food delivery application that uses an API to communicate with its back-end servers and retrieve information about restaurants, menus, orders, and delivery services.
Let’s say you are hungry and want to order some food using the Swiggy app. You open the app on your phone and start browsing through the list of restaurants and menus available in your area. When you find a restaurant and a dish that you like, you select it and place an order.
Behind the scenes, the Swiggy app is using an API to communicate with the servers that store information about the restaurants, menus, orders, and delivery services. The API provides a standardized interface for the app to send requests and receive responses in a format that both the app and the servers can understand.
For example, when you select a restaurant and a dish, the app sends a request to the servers using the API. The request includes information such as the restaurant ID, the dish ID, the order quantity, and the delivery address. The servers receive the request, process it, and send a response back to the app using the API. The response includes information such as the total order cost, the estimated delivery time, and the status of the order.
In this way, the Swiggy App is able to use the API to retrieve information from the servers and provide a seamless and intuitive user experience for ordering food. Without the API, the app would not be able to communicate with the servers and retrieve the necessary information in a standardized and efficient manner.
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Types of API in Simple Terms
This table compares three different types of APIs – REST, SOAP, and GraphQL – and their features in terms that are easy to understand. It shows how each API communicates data, the format in which it sends data, how it identifies resources, and how it handles errors and security. The table also includes information on the usage and flexibility of each API. This comparison can help someone understand the differences between these APIs and choose the right one for their specific needs.
| Feature | REST API | SOAP API | GraphQL API |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication style | Like sending messages with a phone app | Like sending letters through the mail | Like asking a question to a teacher |
| Data format | Can use different formats like pictures | Uses a special format called XML | Can use different formats like pictures |
| Protocol | Like speaking the same language | Like speaking a secret language with a code | Like speaking the same language |
| Resource identification | Like finding a book in a library | Like finding a book in a specific room in a library | Like asking for a specific book from a librarian |
| Request and Response size | Can be small or big depending on what’s being sent and received | Usually bigger because of the special format | Can be small or big depending on what’s being asked |
| Caching | Like remembering where you found your toys | Like writing down where you found your toys | Like remembering where you found your toys |
| Error handling | Like saying “Oops, something went wrong” | Like saying “Oh no, something went wrong” | Like saying “Oops” or “Oh no” depending on what went wrong |
| Security | Like having a secret password to unlock your phone | Like having a secret code to enter a secret club | Like having a secret password to access something |
| Flexibility | Like being able to play with different toys | Like having to use a specific toy to do a specific task | Like being able to ask different questions |
| Usage | Good for most websites and apps | Good for things that need to be really secure | Good for asking questions and getting answers |
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