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Developer BaseDeveloper Base 

What are the so called APIs? What are they for?

Hello,

could anyone explain what are those so called Application Programming Interfaces? And why do we have so many of them? We have Streaming API, SOAP API, Metadata API and so many more.

Are APIs some sort of collections of classes and methods that can be used for a certain purpose?

And why is there so many of them when only one would be enough, containing all the methods?
Best Answer chosen by Developer Base
ANUTEJANUTEJ (Salesforce Developers) 
Hi there,

>> https://focusonforce.com/integration-and-data-loading/an-introduction-to-salesforce-apis/#:~:text=API%20stands%20for%20Application%20Program,a%20simple%20and%20secure%20manner. 

As stated in the above link "Salesforce provides programmatic access to your organization’s information using simple, powerful, and secure application programming interfaces[API's]."

There are many API's depending on the functionality we want to perform we choose the API and extend the functionality as per the requirement, below are list of API's that are provided by Salesforce:

REST API - Access objects in your organization using REST.
SOAP API - Integrate your organization’s data with other applications using SOAP.
Tooling API - Build custom development tools for Force.com applications. Coming soon!
Chatter REST API - Access Chatter feeds and social data such as users, groups, followers, and files using REST.
Bulk API - Load or delete large numbers of records.
Metadata API - Manage customizations in your org and build tools that manage the metadata model (not the data, itself).
Streaming API - Provide a stream of data reflecting data changes in your organization.
Apex REST API - Build your own REST API in Apex. This API exposes Apex classes as RESTful Web services.
Apex SOAP API - Create custom SOAP Web services in Apex. This API exposes Apex classes as SOAP Web services.
Data.com API - Data.com provides 100% complete, high quality data, updated in real-time in the cloud, and with comprehensive coverage worldwide.

>> https://help.salesforce.com/articleView?id=sf.integrate_what_is_api.htm&type=5

The above link gives an explanation of when to use which API along with the list of API's.

Let me know if it helps you and close your query by marking it as solved so that it can help others in the future.  

Thanks.

All Answers

ANUTEJANUTEJ (Salesforce Developers) 
Hi there,

>> https://focusonforce.com/integration-and-data-loading/an-introduction-to-salesforce-apis/#:~:text=API%20stands%20for%20Application%20Program,a%20simple%20and%20secure%20manner. 

As stated in the above link "Salesforce provides programmatic access to your organization’s information using simple, powerful, and secure application programming interfaces[API's]."

There are many API's depending on the functionality we want to perform we choose the API and extend the functionality as per the requirement, below are list of API's that are provided by Salesforce:

REST API - Access objects in your organization using REST.
SOAP API - Integrate your organization’s data with other applications using SOAP.
Tooling API - Build custom development tools for Force.com applications. Coming soon!
Chatter REST API - Access Chatter feeds and social data such as users, groups, followers, and files using REST.
Bulk API - Load or delete large numbers of records.
Metadata API - Manage customizations in your org and build tools that manage the metadata model (not the data, itself).
Streaming API - Provide a stream of data reflecting data changes in your organization.
Apex REST API - Build your own REST API in Apex. This API exposes Apex classes as RESTful Web services.
Apex SOAP API - Create custom SOAP Web services in Apex. This API exposes Apex classes as SOAP Web services.
Data.com API - Data.com provides 100% complete, high quality data, updated in real-time in the cloud, and with comprehensive coverage worldwide.

>> https://help.salesforce.com/articleView?id=sf.integrate_what_is_api.htm&type=5

The above link gives an explanation of when to use which API along with the list of API's.

Let me know if it helps you and close your query by marking it as solved so that it can help others in the future.  

Thanks.
This was selected as the best answer
ANUTEJANUTEJ (Salesforce Developers) 
Additionally this below link has a video for API fundamentals that you can try checking out:

>>https://www.salesforce.com/video/7831200/
Malika Pathak 9Malika Pathak 9

Hi there,


what is API

The programming interface represents the Application Programming Interface. An API is a product middle person that enables two applications to converse with one another. As such, an API is a detachment that conveys your solicitation to the supplier that you're mentioning it from and afterward conveys the reaction back to you.
An API characterizes functionalities that are independent of their particular executions, which enables that usage and definitions to differ without trading off one another. Hence, a great API makes it simpler to build up a program by giving the structure squares.At the point when developers make code, they don't frequently begin sans preparation. Crucial to developer efficiency is how APIs make regularly rehashed at this point complex procedures profoundly reusable with a smidgen of code. The speed that APIs enable developers to work out applications is vital to the present pace of utilization improvement.
Developers are currently considerably more profitable than they were before since they needed to compose a great deal of code without any preparation. With an API they don't need to rehash the wheel each time they compose another program. Rather, they can concentrate on the one of a kind recommendation of their applications while re-appropriating the majority of the product usefulness to APIs


What do APIs do?


A site utilizes a URL address to make a call to a server and draw up a page in a program. APIs likewise encourage calls to a server, yet they execute it all the more basic. They associate the web, permitting developers, applications, and locales to take advantage of databases and administrations (or, resources)— much like open-source programming. APIs do this by acting like a general converter attachment offering a standard arrangement of guidelines.



How do APIs work?

APIs have unending business openings. So how might you influence the usefulness clarified previously? Here are a couple of approaches to consider APIs and how they can function for you.
APIs go about as an entryway that individuals with the correct key can get through. Want to give explicit individuals—however not every person—access to your benefits? An API demonstration like an entryway to your server and database that those with an API key (or a paid membership) can use to get to whatever benefits you uncover. A key could give a client read get to, compose get to, or both—it's up to you.


APIs let applications (and gadgets) flawlessly interface and communicate. An API can make a consistent progression of information among applications and gadgets continuously. This not just gives developers a chance to make applications for any configuration—a versatile application, a wearable, or a site—it permits applications to "converse with" each other. This is the core of how APIs make rich client encounters in applications.

APIs let you manufacture one application off another app. Entire organizations and well-known web applications like Hootsuite, Zapier, and IFTT (If This Then That) have been assembled exclusively on innovative approaches to use APIs. APIs enable you to compose applications that utilization different applications as a major aspect of their center usefulness. Not exclusively would developers be able to gain admittance to reusable code and innovation, they can use other innovations for their own applications.

APIs act like a "widespread plug." What if those individuals with keys to your entryway talk various dialects? With an API, it doesn't make a difference—everybody, regardless of what machine, working framework, or cell phone they're utilizing—gets similar access. Consider those all-inclusive outlet plugs that let you utilize an apparatus in any nation's attachment. An API is a great deal that way; it institutionalizes get to.

Let me know if it helps you and close your query by marking it as solved so that it can help others in the future.  

Thanks.