What is an API?

tap makes it simple to stand up production-ready APIs. But, what is an API?

An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules that lets different software programs talk to each other and share information.

How websites work with APIs

When you visit any website, here's what happens behind the scenes: your browser sends a request over the internet to the website's server (a computer that stores the website's information). The server sends back the data needed to display the webpage on your screen.

Flow diagram of the first request between user visiting tapintodata.com and server responding with HTTP, CSS and JavaScript
Data flow when user first visits tapintodata.com (or any other website)

Every time you click a link, fill out a form, or interact with the website, your browser sends more requests to get new information or save what you've entered. This constant back-and-forth communication is all handled through APIs.

Flow diagram of the subsequent request between user sending filled in form data and server JSON information
Data flow for subsequent information exchange

Why this matters

The really powerful part is that the website's server doesn't have to do everything itself. When you enter your address on a shopping site, that website might use an API to connect to a mapping service to verify your location, rather than building its own mapping system from scratch.

Flow diagram of a user request being serviced by multiple other servers
Data flow of a user request being serviced by multiple other servers

This means one simple action from you (like placing an order) can trigger the website to communicate with multiple other systems: processing your payment, saving to a database, and sending you a confirmation email.

The bigger picture

APIs aren't just for websites. They're how most internet-connected systems share information with each other, making our digital world work together smoothly without us ever seeing what's happening behind the scenes.

Data flow of servers talking to each other
Data flow of servers talking to each other

Next: see how tap fits.

Looks good? Missing something you need? We need your feedback.

Let us know if you need to get your data and applications talking, or you want to save money on complex, inefficient data platforms and integration tooling. We'd love to discuss and see how tap could help.

tap is built by DigitalSociety – we build bespoke digital tools for complex requirements in web applications, data engineering and cloud.