Exploring APIs: The Internet’s Secret Codes
Introduction to APIs — Part 1
Imagine you have a magical box filled with toys. Each toy has special abilities, like a bouncing ball or a singing doll. But what if you wanted to make all these toys play together in a fun game? That’s where APIs come in!
API stands for Application Programming Interface, a set of definitions and protocols that enable two or more software components to interact. You can call it a secret language understood only by digital systems to share information with each other in real-time.
Your app, website, or software is one of the toys in the magical box which has to interact with all the other toys to get their help. Help from other programs is necessary to win in the competitive world of the Internet. If you are a singing doll, you will require the expertise of a bouncing ball to see what’s out of the box.
Far away, in the magical world of the Internet, there lived a very advanced species called virtual machines. They had created a secret language that helped them talk to each other. This language was called API, which helped the internet world run smoothly.
I’ll explain this with a very common use case. You check your phone to know the weather forecast in your area. Your phone interacts with a weather-specific API (e.g., IBM, Accuweather) and shares your location with them. The API then tells you whether you can head outside today without an umbrella.
There are many different toys (read APIs) in the world of the Internet, and each has a unique skill. Let’s check out a few of the most common ones and see their skill sets.
The Weather Wizard
Imagine you want to know what the weather will be like today. A Weather API is like a friendly weather wizard who can tell you if it will rain or be sunny.
The Treasure Map
Have you ever been on an exciting treasure hunt or explored a new place? A Maps API is like an adventure map that helps you find your way. It shows you the best routes, where to turn, and even tells you about interesting places to visit. Systems can access intricate knowledge in real-time, all owing to the magic of Maps APIs.
The Language Fairy
Have you ever met someone who speaks a different language than you? Or stuck on a webpage because you can’t read what’s written there? A Translation API is like a friendly language fairy that helps different languages understand each other. It can instantly change words from one language to another, so people from different places can talk and understand each other.
The Money Master
Have you ever bought something online or paid for a game? Payment APIs are like magic spells that help you securely send money over the Internet. The seller system, your bank system, the regulator, and your computer interact as if they are sitting together and making the purchase happen over the Internet. They ensure your payment information is safe, and you can buy things from the comfort of your home. It’s like having a money master who makes buying things easy and secure.
So, next time you use a cool app or visit a website, remember that APIs are working their magic behind the scenes. They help different parts of the Internet talk to each other, just like friends sharing toys and playing games.
As a product manager, understanding the basics of technology goes a long way. You will have to interact and ideate with engineers and developers daily. Knowing the basics firsthand is always good for making better product decisions and creating an impeccable user experience.
This blog post is part of a series — Technology for New PMs.
