API (Application Programming Interface)

In web developmentDuring the development phase, your site (or new feature) is ..., an APIIn web development, an API is an interface that makes data, ... is an interface that makes data, contentContent consists of text, images, headings, and other inform..., or functionalityFunctionality is a very general term we use to describe any ... 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 codesAn embed code is a snippet of code that an outside service o....

APIs give us direct access to data, content, and functionality from vendors, and they are much more flexible than an embed codeAn embed code is a snippet of code that an outside service o.... 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 DesignInteractive design is part of Boston University’s award-wi... 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.