API (Application Programming Interface)

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

APIs give us direct access to data, contentContent consists of text, images, headings, and other inform... More, and functionalityFunctionality is a very general term we use to describe any ... More from vendors, and they are much more flexible than an embed codeAn embed code is a snippet of code that an outside service o... More. However, we are restricted by what data the vendor allows us to see and how they organize it in the APIIn web development, an API is an interface that makes data, ... More. It’s good practice to ask your vendors if they have an APIIn web development, an API is an interface that makes data, ... More 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... More 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.