What Are APIs? - Simply Explained

APIs are very technical, and yet they are used everywhere. Simply put: APIs allow different apps and services to work together in various ways. In this video, I'll highlight four ways in which APIs can be used: to access data, to hide complexity, to extend functionality, and for security/privacy reasons.

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[ahmermirza]

I always wondered if the apps like Uber built their own map from the scratch. Now, I know that they are probably using some API. The many examples quoted in this video are good enough to grasp the concept really well. Thank you!

[mavhunter]

That's actually a great example, I'm going to use that restaurant example in the future.

[ICANTHEARHER]

You do a good job of applying real life examples and giving the full spectrum

[RawHebrewRemnant]

After trying to figure this out for a few years, you made it extremely simple in just 7 minutes. VERY WELL DONE SIR! Thanks

[patrickbarry]

From a buzz word to a relatively good understanding in 45 seconds. That's the one statement that has been the most valuable in understanding API for me. Well done.

[dnyhouse]

It's sometimes challenging for me to grasp complex technical issues (I have a background in political sciences) and normally I need 3-4 videos/sources to understand something but you explained it so well that I don't need to watch the other ones. Big time & brain energy saver so thanks a lot.

[RachitMalvi]

I don't know how many videos I had watched(before watching this explanation) to understand this concept. This video gave me the clarity that I was always looking for. Thank you very much!!

[TheMR-]

Simply Explained: It made my Mind Open. As a newly becoming Software Engineer, I used to think how difficult it might be to "Communicate" between Apps, like Maps, and such. As I wanted to use the power of already existing Apps. Now I came to know there are so-called, "APIs" available which let us Interact with applications. Thank you for such a wonderful, complete and comprehensive information, Explained Simply :)

[dwaynelattimore]

The true geniuses of the world are those who can take what's complicated and make it immediately understandable when teaching with creativity. 🎨 I will also be adopting this analogy! Thank you!

[HugoGilbert-xl]

You putting this up for free is actually clutch - praise to you

[vmpdtv]

Thank you for helping the non-developers and beginners understand what an API is

[moonlighterx]

It's great to have subtitles. I can understand the video by translating it into my own language. Thanks so much again :)

[asclepeus-games]

What helped clarify it to me is this: An API is just a function. A developer writes a function/script and may let others interact with that function (give Input/see Output) through the web. It can do anything a function can do. If these examples help others, that's great, but it leads me a bit astray from what API's actually are.

[rohanradia]

Another great video 👌 will help a lot of the new developers.

[DasWompus]

Thank you! My background is in power engineering, but a set of models I have come across have required me to delve into some basic programming/database applications! Just understanding some of these terms that are being used really helps me be able to work through these manuals a lot easier!

[SpookshowBabie]

I did not expect that cambridge analytica tie in, I love that this was mentioned, not enough people know about it! Thanks for the video!

[syedumair]

3:57 I think it's the 'Kernel' that allows the application to gain access/permissions from the user.

[Gcenzi]

Best explanation I've ever had about APIs

[JessicaTSmith]

Thank you for the straight forward and easily digestable explanation!

[chanwitwuttioei]

you're Cleary explaining. Thank you