APIs Explained (in 4 Minutes)

In this video, we explain how APIs work. APIs enable different applications to communicate with each other using requests and responses. They enable the seamless integration of different systems, functionalities, and services.
Non-technical companies can benefit from APIs in the same way as technical companies. Web APIs deliver client requests and return responses via either JSON or XML over the internet.

Chapters
0:13 - What is an API?
1:52 - Non-technical analogy for APIs
2:45 - How do APIs work? (Web APIs)
3:08 - HTTP request and response structure
3:42 - Types of APIs

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[nurulafsar]

I've been programming for around 2 years now, and this was the first example that actually made the concept of an API stick in my head. The restaurant reservation analogy in particular was excellent.

[anuvabsaha]

The Hunt for 'What is API'? ended here. Huge Thanks!

[bhasinvaibhav]

This is by far the most clear and simple explanation of APIs I've come across. Thanks!

[cthutu]

The term API is not just used for web development where a client sends a request to a server and a response is given back. In fact, the term API predates its use in the internet world. It basically just means a collection of functions that can be used to communicate with an appliation. For example, the Win32 API is used to talk to the Windows operating system. The OpenGL API is used to draw 3d graphics to the screen.

The "API" concept explained in this video is a very specific use of the term "API".

[sebwlim]

best and most concise explanation of APIs I've seen on YouTube. Thank you!

[rkug]

Great analogy that stuck in my head! Keep making more of these please. Love the crisp narration in a clear, pleasant voice!

[KC-kpnq]

Working in IT and my manager couldt even explain me API in simple words. Thank you!

[Premssonglist]

Loved how simple and crisp was the explanation. The speaker eloquently presented the same 👍

[johnochola]

Short and sweet. Life would be much easier with these kinds of explanations. Thank you!

[mimianti-stush]

Thank you for such a simple, practical, concise, non-technical and technical explanation. I am new to IT...and the analogy turned on a light bulb. I've subscribed to your channel!

[lewisburton]

I loved the use of analogies in the video. It's clear that there are common patterns at work in many different areas of life.

[anre]

A Technically-minded PM is the coolest.

[RaviTM-wc]

The first video I watched on this channel. The clarity with which you described made me hit that subscribe button right away in the beginning. Cheers!

[jeff-creations]

Brilliant, love the explanation. Here is a text version:


Let's say you have a dinner reservation for tonight for three people but you want to change it to six.
You call the restaurant and ask them if it's possible to do that and the customer service person says yes.

That was simple - you called someone, made a request, and you got a response yes or no.

Now, let's say that there wasn't a customer service person and that it was up to you to figure this out.

You would need to know:
• How many people have made reservations for the same time at this restaurant?
• How many tables are free at that time?
• What's their kitchen capacity, and wait staff capacity??

All of these questions just to figure out whether you can add three more people to your reservation.
That's a lot of unnecessary work on your part, work that you the customer have no expertise in.

Not to mention that the restaurant has to reveal a lot of data to you, maybe even private data about
who's eating there that night and who works there etc....

In this analogy the restaurant is an application that provides a specific service or function, which is to feed you.
You are an application that is trying to get fed with a group of friends.
The customer service rep from the restaurant is the restaurant's API.

Customer service is the API interface through which you can communicate with the restaurant and make requests
like changing the number on a reservation, and you can do that without having to dive into the messy details about
how restaurant reservations work or anything like that.

[learningonline]

The reservation analogy was really good. I have tried to use non-tech analogies to explain this topic but they would often not capture the concept fully. Thank you!

[suhailm]

Just wow, very short and crisp to the points information, loved it

[abhirajsingh]

okay, this is the best explanation of API on the whole Internet. So what is it? An interface or a medium by which two or more applications (software intended for a specific purposes ) can communicate via request and response. each cycle of a request and response is called an API call. The main benefit of using API is data security as the applications can communicate with each other without having to expose all the data and the example she used to explain API's is probably the best example, that even a 15 year old can understand

[siddheshdivekar]

most clear and simple explanation of APIs ever !

[nikolayrusanov]

The most comprehensive explanation of API I have ever seen!

[ingeniousgoldie]

THIS IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST VIDEO EXPLANATION OF API ON THE I subscribed immediately to the channel because of this video. Do you know how many times I have watched API tutorials?? This was awesome to watch!