API (Application Programming Interface)
In web development, an API is an interface that makes data, content, or functionality from an outside source, such as a vendor, available to us to use on a website. By default, we can't access any data or information that is controlled by a vendor when we build a website. An API is one of two common ways that vendors allow us to access their data, along with embed codes.
APIs give us direct access to data, content, and functionality from vendors, and they are much more flexible than an embed code. However, we are restricted by what data the vendor allows us to see and how they organize it in the API. It's good practice to ask your vendors if they have an API when you are evaluating them if you think you'd like to use their data on your BU website in the future. A brief consultation from Interactive Design can also help you find out what options you have for integrating data on your website.
Learn more at MDN's Introduction to Web APIs.