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An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. APIs define the methods and data formats that applications can use to request and exchange information, enabling them to work together seamlessly.

For example, when you use a weather app on your phone, it communicates with a weather service’s API to retrieve the latest weather data. Similarly, APIs are used to integrate various services, such as payment gateways, social media platforms, and mapping services, into applications.

APIs are essential for modern software development, as they allow developers to build complex functionalities by leveraging existing services and data sources. They come in various types, including web APIs, operating system APIs, and library APIs, each serving different purposes and use cases.

For more detailed information on APIs, you can refer to this AWS article.

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