Application management might sound really technical but it is actually pretty simple. APIs actually serve a really important role in allowing software programs to interact with one another. API, in a really simple definition, is a set of codes, rules, tools, specifications, protocols, and routines that are used by software programs to communicate with other software programs. This will provide access to use the resources and services of other software program that are also using API. API is an interface for various software programs that will help in the communication similar to how interface allows humans and computers communicate with each other.
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The API gives access to backend raw data which with the help of a programmer, you will be able to manipulate the format that you want. The software developers are the ones that are designing the products that are using APIs. There are API management software that are used in operating systems, libraries, programs, applications, and many more to define their language and resources. Protocols, data structures, object classes, and routines are created with specifications that are used in the communication between the program provider using the API to the consumer program. An API can be used in various contexts. API can be considered specific, general, language independent or language dependent.
A general API is a full set of API which is in the library of a programming language such as Java API. In order for it to be specific, the API should address a certain problem such as Google maps API. The language dependent API is only available by making use of the syntax and elements of a certain language. The language dependent API is used for a number of programming languages that might be used as remote web services or procedure calls. For a much deeper understanding, the API management software shows how a certain task is done such as in procedural languages. Modern programming languages today gives documentation connected to an API in a digital format that can be easily consulted on a computer.
Also see api integration software
A protocol and API is not the same but the API can be implemented by a protocol. A protocol is the usual way of exchanging responses and requests in a common passage while API will provide a library that can be directly used with no other transport than exchanging simple information using function calls. If the API is implemented by a protocol, then it is based on some proxy methods for remote requests that will rely on the communication protocol. API management software are used in various programs, operating systems, and applications and are designed for various purposes at the same time. They can also be used for the multimedia, web, user interface, and many more.
More info https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPp3kdAdDdU