Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. It specifies how different components of software should interact with one another.
Related terms
Endpoint: A specific URL within an API that represents a resource or function.
HTTP Methods: Actions that can be performed on an endpoint, such as GET, POST, PUT, DELETE.
SDK: Software Development Kit; a set of tools and libraries provided by developers to simplify the use of their APIs.