An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other.

What?
A bridge that enables different software systems to interact.

Why?
An API allows developers to use existing functionalities without building them from scratch, enabling quicker development and integration.

How?
An API receives a request, processes it, and return the required data or function output. This usually involves sending data over HTTPS/HTTP protocols in formats like JSON.

Example:
A weather app using a third-party weather API to fetch real-time weather data without data without storing or calculating it internally.

Advantages:

• Saves development time by reusing existing components.
• Allows different system to work together.
• Simplifies scaling by offloading tasks to specialized services.

Disadvantages:

• Reliance on third-party APIs can lead to issues if the API changes or becomes unavailable.
• Exposes your application to potential vulnerabilities if the API isn't secure.