Web Development Beginner

What is API (Application Programming Interface)?

A set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate and exchange data.

APIs define how software components interact. Web APIs (typically REST or GraphQL) allow applications to request and send data over HTTP. For example, a weather app uses a weather API to get forecast data.

REST APIs use standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and return JSON/XML. GraphQL APIs let clients specify exactly what data they need. API design principles include versioning, authentication, rate limiting, and clear documentation.

Related Terms

Content Negotiation

An HTTP mechanism where client and server agree on the best representation of a resource based on format, language, or encoding preferences.

A technique that delays loading non-critical resources until they are needed, improving initial page load performance.

MVC (Model-View-Controller)

An architectural pattern that separates an application into three components: data (Model), interface (View), and logic (Controller).

A mechanism where a server sends real-time HTTP POST notifications to a specified URL when specific events occur.

Progressive Enhancement

A web design strategy that starts with basic functionality for all browsers and progressively adds advanced features for capable ones.

Web Font Optimization

Techniques for loading custom fonts efficiently to minimize their impact on page load performance and visual stability.

View All Web Development Terms →