Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

HTML jQuery Basics (2014) Introduction to jQuery Ways to Include jQuery in a Project

Posted by orange sky
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
orange sky
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 4,945 Points

what is an API

Hello!

I often hear people talk about APIs. I have heard people say look at the Java API, and now JQuery also has its API.

Can someone please tell me the definition of an API? My guess is that API is a reference manual for that particular programming language, which include all the methods, properties or any info about it , but I am not sure this definition is correct

Thanks

2 Answers

James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points
James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points

There are basically 2 types of APIs, the first type is basically what you explained. The 2nd is a Web API like how Twitter lets you write code and interact with their service.

ryan champin
ryan champin
16,836 Points
ryan champin
ryan champin
16,836 Points

thats exactly what an API is!