What is API? Definition, Function, and Benefits

What is an API? For those who don’t know, API stands for Application Programming Interface, which is software that can receive calls or requests from other software such as applications and websites that provide services. In other words, API is software that enables or connects two applications. Not only that, API is also used to create software and applications by developers.

You can find API in everyday life such as when booking a hotel, sending messages, ordering food online, or when downloading software. How does this happen? The process is like this, when you use an application or do an activity, the application is connected to the internet and sends data to the server. After that, the data is taken and translated by the server which then performs the necessary actions as a result and then sent back to your smartphone. After receiving the data, the application translates it and then provides the information you want in an easy-to-read way. With API, everything can run smoothly and easily.

Why use API?

API makes programming easier and possible. As mentioned above, our needs as customers and especially for developers are greatly facilitated by API. Seeing this, the role of the API itself is very heavy, especially to make the appearance of an application interactive, easy to use, and user-friendly. Not only that, APIs are also used to communicate between services. APIs have a very important role in technology.

Benefits of Using APIs for Developers

1. Applications
   APIs help application performance become faster and more flexible, such as the services and information provided because APIs can enter application components.
2. Customization
   With APIs, customization for content and services can be done according to needs and desires.
3. Flexible
   APIs make services more flexible. This is because APIs support better data migration and the information obtained is reviewed more carefully.
4. Integration
   APIs can guarantee smoother delivery of information because APIs allow embedded content from applications and sites easily. This provides an integrated experience for users.
5. More data
   APIs provide many options because all information generated at the government level is available to every citizen.

Just like networks, APIs also need to be monitored. API monitoring is a monitoring of APIs with the aim of seeing the right response, availability, and performance. Why should you monitor APIs? Because it is very helpful to see the condition of the API if its performance is poor, weak API calls that cause application failures, and failed websites that can cause a bad experience for users. As a solution, you need API monitoring tools.

Choosing the right API monitoring is certainly not easy. However, you don’t need to hesitate because apart from being a network monitoring application and network monitoring service, Netmonk can provide the right solution for you. In addition to NetMonk for network monitoring, Netmonk also has Web API monitoring that can help you monitor API performance so that you can anticipate failures and errors and can be resolved immediately. If you want the best API monitoring and network management tools, Ketitik will provide its services just for you. For more complete details, you can see our products by visiting our website.

References:

https://www.bbvaopen4u.com/en/actualidad/8-advantage-apis-developers

https://www.upwork.com/hiring/development/intro-to-apis-what-is-an-api

https://www.uptrends.com/what-is/what-is-api-monitoring