Application

Programming
Interface(API)
Presented by:
Sadaf Zahid
Maria Bano
Muhammad Sohaib Zafar
Hanan Iqbal

Submitted to:
Sir Naveed Ahmed
 What is API
APIs are mechanisms that enable two software components to communicate with
each other using a set of definitions and protocols. For example, the weather
bureau’s software system contains daily weather data. The weather app on your
phone “talks” to this system via APIs and shows you daily weather updates on your
phone.
How an API works?
• A client application initiates an API call to
retrieve information—also known as a request.
This request is processed from an application to
the web server via the API’s Uniform Resource
Identifier (URI) and includes a request verb,
headers, and sometimes, a request body.
• After receiving a valid request, the API makes a
call to the external program or web server.
• The server sends a response to the API with the
requested information.
• The API transfers the data to the initial
requesting application.
 •  

Why we need APIs

Whether you’re managing existing tools or designing new ones, you can use an application programming interface to simplify the process. Some of
the main benefits of APIs include the following:

Improved collaboration: Added security: Easier innovation:

APIs enable integration so that APIs create an added layer of
these platforms and apps can protection between your data
seamlessly communicate with and a server. Developers can
further strengthen API security
one another and can automate
by using tokens, signatures, and
workflows and improve
Transport Layer Security (TLS)
workplace collaboration.
encryption; by implementing
APIs offer flexibility, offer
new services to their existing
market, and, ultimately,
access new markets that can
generate massive returns and
drive digital transformation.
 What is API calls
w w w . u n ti t l e d a d r e s s . c o m

Application programming interfaces (APIs) are a way for one program to interact with
another. API calls are the medium by which they interact. An API call, or API request,
is a message sent to a server asking an API to provide a service or information.
 Where does API calls go?
API calls travel from a client to an API endpoint. API endpoints are
the places that an API calls go to — most often, a web application
and a server. A mobile client, for example, generates an API call
that goes to the API endpoint, a server. The server receives the API
call, processes it, executes the request, and sends a response.

Local APIs
In this types of API, the
programmers get the local
middleware services. TAPI
(Telephony Application
Programming Interface), .NET are
common examples of Local API’s..
Types of APIs
Web APIs
A Web API also called as Web Services is
an extensively used API over the web and
can be easily accessed using the HTTP
protocols. A Web API is an open source
interface and can be used by a large
number of clients through their phones,
tablets. or PC’s.
Program APIs
It makes a remote program
appears to be local by making use
of RPC’s (Remote Procedural
Calls). SOAP is a well-known
example of this type of API.
 Representational state transfer (REST)

Other Types of APIs

protocol provides a communication channel to a
distributed set of computers over HTTP requests.
REST APIs need to be stateless (retain no data), have
a uniform interface to work on, ensure the
independence of client and server, and be loosely
coupled for easy changes.
Simple object access protocol (SOAP)
Remote procedure call (RPC)
helps a computer program request and
use a procedure located in a different
computer and network without the
need to explicitly code the interaction.
An RPC protocol allows a client to
execute a remote code on the server.
RPC-based APIs are very tightly
integrated, making it difficult for the
developers to make any changes in them

 is helpful in the interaction between applications

built on different operating systems and
programming languages, via XML and HTTP. This
web API protocol can handle stateful (requires data
storage) operations without the need for extra code
and has strong security measures in place.
 Advantages of APIs Disadvantages of APIs
• Efficiency: API produces efficient, quicker and • Cost: Developing and implementing API is
more reliable results than the outputs produced costly at times and requires high
by human beings in an organization. maintenance and support from developers.

• Flexible delivery of services: API provides • Security issues: Using API adds another
fast and flexible delivery of services according layer of surface which is then prone to
to developers requirements. attacks, and hence the security risk problem

• Integration: The best feature of API is that it is common in API’s.

allows movement of data between various sites • Extensive programming knowledge:

and thus enhances integrated user experience. Scaling API requires extensive programming

• Automation: As API makes use of robotic knowledge and the learning curve can fairly

computers rather than humans, it produces steep when understanding how to extend

better and automated results. the capabilities of your API framework.

• New functionality: While using API the

developers find new tools and functionality for
API exchanges.
Applications of APIs

Weather Sign in  SMS Verification Maps

Your devices use APIs to get you can sign in to an Online maps and navigation
Many applications use SMS-
the latest weather application using your Google like Google Maps, Apple
based verification to
information. This data is account. Here is how it Maps, and Bing Maps provide
implement two-factor
provided by specialized works. The likes of Google, detailed and custom location
authentication. Handling all
weather APIs that provide Apple, and Twitter provide data to millions of devices
this is not an easy feat. This is
detailed data about APIs that connect you to their and applications. To achieve
where APIs like Twillio and
temperature, precipitation, authentication servers. So this, they use APIs to provide
Telesign come in. They allow
humidity, wind speed, air when a user logs in, the API data to all the different
you to implement SMS
pollution, and much more. sends a request to the platforms and devices.
verification, and you don't
authentication server, and have to worry about the
the server verifies the user. details.
THANK YOU!