API (Application Programming Interface)
An interface that allows two applications to communicate and exchange data according to precisely defined rules.
What is an API?
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules and definitions through which two different software systems can communicate. Think of it like a waiter in a restaurant: the customer (your app) places an order with the waiter (API), who takes it to the kitchen (the external system) and brings back the result.
How APIs work in practice
- Your application sends an HTTP request to a specific URL (endpoint) with the required parameters.
- The remote server processes the request and returns a response - most commonly in JSON format.
- Your application processes the response and uses the result.
Use in AI automation
- Calling LLM models (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google)
- Connecting n8n workflows to external services
- Reading and writing data to CRM systems, databases, or e-commerce platforms