What does API stand for in software development?

API stands for Application Programming Interface, which is a fundamental concept in software development. An API is a set of rules and protocols for building and interacting with software applications. It defines the methods and data structures that developers can use to communicate with various software components, including operating systems, libraries, or different services.

APIs play a crucial role in enabling different software systems to interact with one another. For example, web APIs allow for communication between a client application and a server, enabling functionalities like retrieving data, submitting information, or triggering actions remotely. This abstraction allows developers to build applications without needing to understand the underlying code of the services they are integrating with.

Understanding APIs is essential for software development, as they facilitate the modular design of applications, promote code reuse, and streamline collaboration among different software components.