If you work in
web marketing
, web production, or the IT industry, you’ve probably heard of the term
API
. APIs not only play an important role in app development and website creation, but they are also used in many places in daily life.
I think it doesn’t hurt to know what the words mean and how they work, but unless you’re an engineer or someone who is very knowledgeable about IT, you might think, “I’ve heard of these words, but I don’t have the confidence to explain them.” “To be honest, I don’t really understand…”
In this article, we will explain things such as “What is an API,” “What can you do with an API,” and “Advantages and disadvantages” in a way that even those who are not familiar with IT can understand. If you came to this article thinking, “I want to know the basics about APIs!”, please use it as a reference.
What is API?
I will explain the following about the API.
Meaning of API
API is an acronym for “Application Programming Interface.” “Interface” can be translated as “contact/boundary surface.” For example, a mouse is an “interface” that connects a computer and the user.
To put it simply, API is a mechanism that connects different web services, software, and programs. It extends the functionality of the software to improve user convenience.
How the API works
Now let me explain how the API works. Currently, APIs that are made available to third parties (open APIs) make some of the software’s functions available on the web, allowing outsiders to use the software’s functions.
You can embed functions from software created by third parties into your own software, making it possible to link applications together. In this case, the API can be said to play the role of a window that connects “software that publishes functions” and “software that wants to use those functions.”
What is the difference between WebAPI and API?
Currently, APIs are published on the Web, and are widely used by people who want to use them by calling them from outside via HTTP/HTTPS communication on the Web. For this reason, it is often called “WebAPI,” and in most cases when it is written as “API,” it refers to “WebAPI.”
What is “API collaboration” that you often hear about?
In business settings, you may often hear the term “API integration”. API collaboration refers to collaboration between applications using APIs. By using API integration, there is no need to develop all functions from scratch when building services and systems. Therefore, you can easily integrate with other services and expand your services.
API type
Below we will explain the types of API.
Web API
Web API refers to a mechanism that allows the functions of the relevant application or software to be used by other systems or services on the web. Web API has well-defined rules and procedures to enable communication between different applications.
SEs (system engineers) can focus on application development by utilizing existing services. However, because different systems can easily communicate with each other, security tends to be vulnerable.
When using it in business, it is necessary to introduce encryption and user authentication processes to strengthen security.
Native API
Native API refers to an API that is pre-built into the OS, such as Windows, Mac, or Android. The native API calls the OS kernel and is responsible for managing resources within the computer, such as memory operations and hardware control. Specific examples include “Windows API” and “Android API.”
Library API
The library API is called during development using a development language such as Java. Functions can be implemented with a few lines of code using a class library that compiles classes (equivalent to data structure blueprints).
Runtime API
Runtime API refers to the API used during “runtime”. It refers to a collection of programs and files necessary to run software and applications. Runtime APIs offer many benefits, including dynamic operations and the ability to monitor and monitor the state of your app in real time.
Database API
Database API is an API that can access external databases and obtain information. The database API allows for smooth communication between the system and the database. Also, real-time information stored in the database can be implemented into the system.
Web API related terms
This section explains terms related to Web API.
What is REST API (RESTful API)?
REST is an abbreviation for “REST=REpresentational State Transfer” and refers to the “ideological design (architecture) of web systems.” This API is called REST API. REST has the meaning of mutual sharing of information that defines a specific state, and systems and web services that meet this are described as “RESTful.” An API that satisfies this RESTful requirement is called a RESTful API.
What is SOAP API?
SOAP is an abbreviation for “Simple Object Access Protocol” and is a protocol for exchanging information between different programs and platforms. SOAP is a standard protocol that was originally designed to allow applications and software built separately in different programming languages and platforms to communicate with each other.
What you can do with the API
Were you able to somehow get an overview of the API? Next, I will explain what you can do specifically by using the API.
What can you do with the API?
There are a wide variety of things you can do with the API. It is possible to link applications to expand functionality and improve the efficiency of application development, and to analyze data read from one application using another application.
API usage examples
So how is it actually used? Although you may not be aware of the existence of APIs in your daily life, they are already being used in many situations. I would like to introduce an example that I am sure you all remember.
Case 1: Account registration
For example, have you ever experienced being able to easily register as a new member using an app or web service using your Google or Facebook account information? This is because apps and web services use Google and Facebook functions through APIs, saving users the trouble of entering member information from scratch.
Case 2: Google Maps
Sites for tourist spots, restaurants, etc. list the location of the facility (shop). In many cases, not only the address but also a Google map is displayed. This is an example of embedding a map on a site using Google APIs.
In this way, the economic zone that expands through the publication of APIs is called the “API economy.” Those who publish APIs can expand their services and acquire new users, and companies who utilize published APIs can simplify development. This brings benefits to both parties.
In Japan, the API economy is often talked about in conjunction with “FinTech,” and in recent years, collaboration between financial institutions and venture companies in the financial field has been promoted through the use of APIs.
Representative API
We mentioned Google API and Facebook API in the previous example, but we will introduce other representative APIs. Nowadays, various applications can be used from anywhere via the user’s terminal.
Furthermore, since it is now possible to provide only some functions rather than a single app, the range of API usage has expanded, making it easier to use in the cloud. In addition to the increased technical ease of use, one of the reasons why APIs are being used more easily in
the cloud
is that the usage procedures are less complicated. Below is an example of the API.
Amazon API
You can manage inventory, order reports, and obtain information on the lowest prices for products listed on Amazon.
Yahoo API
You can automatically obtain information from sites operated by Yahoo, such as Yahoo Shopping, Yahoo Weather, and Yahoo Mail.
YouTube API
You can add analysis functions to improve video performance, such as measuring video effectiveness and acquiring channel data in bulk.
TwitterAPI
You can retrieve the tweets of a specific user on the timeline, post tweets like a bot that tweets regularly, and search for tweets in X (Twitter) from your own site or developed app. It is possible to. It has been announced that a fee will be charged in March 2023.
Microsoft Graph API
We are releasing an image authentication API that can analyze images, read text, and read handwritten characters, and an AI API that can analyze faces in images.
LINE API
LINE Messaging API, one of the most popular APIs provided by LINE, has functions that can be used to automatically respond to inquiries. Other services include LINE Login, which allows you to log in to other web services using your LINE account, and LINE Social Plugins, which allows you to share from various SNS and blogs and create add-friend buttons.
In addition to this, there is a growing movement of SaaS vendors to release their own APIs, and for back office use, for example, the human resources management system “SmartHR” and the accounting and labor management company “freee” have released APIs. I’m doing it. Additionally, in the marketing field, there are multiple services that are linked to APIs in email distribution systems.
What is ChatGPT API?
Below, we will explain the ChatGPT API.
What is ChatGPT API?
ChatGPT API is an API that allows you to use ChatGPT developed by OpenAI by incorporating it into any app or web service. By using this API, ChatGPT will be able to use the relevant app or web service via the API.
Examples of what you can do with ChatGPT API
The following are examples of what you can do with the ChatGPT API.
Creating an automated response system
By using ChatGPT API, you can create and deploy online chatbots using ChatGPT functions on your company’s website, system, or app. If you create a chatbot that can automatically communicate with customers by using ChatGPT via API, you can reduce human resources and free them up for other tasks.
Creating a question answering system
You can also create and deploy question answering systems using the ChatGPT API. It automatically analyzes the content of customer inquiries, searches for the optimal answer from a pre-installed database, and automatically responds via API.
By using the ChatGPT API, you can expect to reduce the load on customer support operations, and at the same time, it will also lead to improved customer satisfaction, such as reducing the amount of time customers have to wait for an operator. Another way to use it is to introduce and use a question answering system within your company.
Employees can instantly obtain in-house information that is updated daily by simply entering a question into the question-and-answer system. By incorporating a company’s internal information into a database and then updating it as appropriate, it becomes possible to share the information with all employees within the company.
This reduces the need to manually communicate information to all employees each time, and allows employees to obtain information efficiently.
Advantages and disadvantages of API
We will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each API.
4 benefits of API
Utilizing APIs has benefits for both service providers and users.
Reduce development time and costs
If the functionality you want to implement is already published in the API, there is no need to create the same program from scratch. Therefore, development time and costs can be significantly reduced. Additionally, by using existing high-quality APIs, we can expect to improve the quality of our services.
Security can be improved
As introduced in the previous example, APIs allow you to use the highly secure login systems of Google and SNS (Facebook, Twitter, LINE, etc.) without having to build a membership registration system from scratch.
Additionally, there is the advantage that more users can use the service by not having to keep personal information such as credit cards and saving the time and effort of entering member information.
Minimize the impact of system changes
If your company implements various functions, you will need to rewrite most of them due to specification changes, but with APIs, the impact will be minimized.
Improved convenience
By allowing users to log in to their own services using user information from other companies, users do not have to enter their name or email address, which can save users a troublesome process.
Disadvantages of API
It is a convenient API that can be used while keeping costs down, but of course it does not have all its benefits.
server failure
Even if there is no problem with your own
server
, if a problem occurs with the server providing the API, you will be unable to use it.
Reliance on companies providing APIs
It may be difficult to continue using the API as before due to a problem due to a change in API specifications or the discontinuation of the API. You should avoid relying too much on APIs.
Points to note when using Web API
The following points should be noted when using Web API.
Is the provider a reliable company?
The first thing to keep in mind when using a Web API is to check whether the provider is a reliable company. When using an API, the user becomes dependent to some extent on the provider company. When API specifications change, users will need to take some measures accordingly.
In addition, if the API provider suspends the service, the user will have no choice but to either stop using the API or look for an alternative API due to force majeure. In this way, APIs are affected to some extent by the provider, so you need to choose one that is regularly updated and has security measures in place.
Appropriate management of authentication information such as API keys
Web API uses authentication information called “API key” or “secret key” to access the API. It plays a similar role to a so-called user ID and password, and it is strictly prohibited to share it with a third party or share it between multiple departments in order to prevent information leaks.
Such API keys must be managed strictly and appropriately, similar to how traditional user IDs and passwords are stored.
summary
I have explained the API, what do you think? APIs have now become essential in daily life and business. The market is expected to continue expanding in the coming years due to the rapid development of the IT field and the significant increase in data consumption.
It is likely that we will hear the words “API” and “API integration” more often in the future, and we hope that this knowledge will be of some use when that time comes.