What Are APIs? - Simply Explained

Summary

This video script explains APIs through a relatable restaurant analogy, highlighting their role as interfaces that simplify interactions and hide complexities. APIs enable data access, task automation, functionality extension, and act as gatekeepers for personal data. They facilitate cooperation between apps and services, streamline development by abstracting complexities, and ensure privacy by controlling data access. The script also touches on the importance of being mindful of API permissions to protect personal information.

Takeaways

• 🍽️ APIs act as intermediaries, like a waiter in a restaurant, simplifying interactions with complex systems.
• 🔍 They enable access to third-party data, exemplified by weather apps using APIs to fetch weather forecasts.
• 🤝 APIs facilitate the exchange of information between different apps and services, enhancing functionality.
• 🛠️ They abstract complexity, allowing developers to focus on their applications without delving into system-level details.
• 📱 Mobile operating systems provide APIs that simplify tasks like rendering UI elements and managing hardware interactions.
• 🌐 APIs extend functionality, as seen with iOS widgets and personal assistants like Siri, which can be enhanced by third-party integrations.
• 🔑 They serve as gatekeepers, controlling access to sensitive data and requiring permissions for apps to use certain features.
• 🚫 The importance of being vigilant about API permissions is highlighted, as over-permissive or long-lasting permissions can lead to data misuse.
• 🏗️ APIs are integral to modern technology, serving multiple roles from data access to enhancing user privacy and control.
• 👀 Awareness of API usage and permissions is crucial for users to maintain control over their personal data and app interactions.

Q & A

What is an API and why were they created?

An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of rules and protocols for building and interacting with software applications. They were created to enable different programs to communicate with each other, allowing for the exchange of data and functionality in a standardized way.

How does the restaurant waiter analogy explain the concept of an API?

In the restaurant analogy, the waiter acts as an API, providing an interface between the customer and the services of the restaurant. The waiter shields the customer from the complexities of the kitchen operations, just as an API shields users or developers from the complexities of the underlying system or service.

What are some examples of third-party data access through APIs?

Examples include weather apps using APIs from services like The Weather Channel to provide weather forecasts, or apps accessing data on recipes, lyrics, barcodes, zip codes, available parking spaces, and public holidays.

How do APIs help in hiding complexity for developers?

APIs abstract the complexity of underlying systems, allowing developers to focus on their application's unique features without needing to understand or manage the intricate details of how certain functionalities work, such as setting up a WiFi connection or interacting with hardware sensors.

Can you explain how APIs extend the functionality of existing systems?

APIs can be used to add new features to existing systems. For instance, iOS apps can extend their functionality by showing widgets in the Notification Center through the use of an API. Similarly, personal assistants like Siri or Google Assistant can have their capabilities expanded through third-party APIs.

What is the role of APIs as gatekeepers in terms of data privacy?

APIs act as gatekeepers by controlling access to sensitive data. They ensure that only authorized apps can access certain information, and they provide users with the ability to grant or revoke permissions, thus protecting personal data.

Why is it important for users to be aware of the duration of API permissions?

Users should be aware of the duration of API permissions because some permissions can be long-lasting, and users might forget which apps or websites they have granted access to their data. This awareness helps in managing privacy settings and revoking permissions for apps that are no longer in use.

How did Cambridge Analytica misuse the Facebook API?

Cambridge Analytica misused the Facebook API by creating a personality quiz that requested permission to access personal data. Once permission was granted, the app could access the data of not only the users who took the quiz but also their friends, leading to the collection of massive amounts of data without explicit ongoing consent.

What are some common misconceptions about APIs that the script helps clarify?

The script clarifies that APIs are not just for developers but are integral to many aspects of digital services that users interact with daily. It also clarifies that APIs are not only for data access but also for abstracting complexity, extending functionality, and acting as gatekeepers for privacy.

How do APIs make developers more efficient?

APIs make developers more efficient by providing pre-built functionalities that they can easily integrate into their applications. This allows them to avoid reinventing the wheel and focus on creating value-added features specific to their applications.

What is the significance of APIs in the modern technology landscape?

APIs are significant in the modern technology landscape because they facilitate the integration and interoperability of various software applications and services. They enable the creation of complex, interconnected systems and contribute to the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), smart devices, and cloud computing.

Outlines

00:00

🍽 Understanding APIs Through a Restaurant Analogy

This paragraph introduces APIs through a relatable example of a restaurant. It explains that APIs, or Application Programmable Interfaces, act as intermediaries that simplify interactions with complex systems, much like a waiter in a restaurant. The waiter shields customers from the complexities of the kitchen, providing an interface to order food and drinks, ask questions, and handle payments. Similarly, APIs allow different programs to interact, access data, and perform tasks without the need to understand the underlying complexities. The paragraph highlights four main uses of APIs: accessing third-party data, hiding system complexity, extending functionality, and acting as gatekeepers for permissions. Examples include using a weather app that retrieves data through an API and operating systems providing APIs for app developers to use system features without dealing with hardware specifics.

05:03

🔐 The Dual Role of APIs in Data Access and Privacy

The second paragraph delves into the dual role of APIs in both facilitating data access and managing privacy. It discusses how APIs can be used to access personal data, such as names and email addresses, when users grant permissions to apps or websites. The paragraph uses the example of Cambridge Analytica to illustrate how prolonged permissions can lead to the misuse of data. It emphasizes the importance of being aware of the duration of permissions and the need to revoke them when they are no longer necessary. The summary concludes by reiterating the multifaceted nature of APIs: they enable data sharing for app functionality, simplify development by abstracting complex operations, extend the capabilities of systems, and safeguard personal information by controlling access through permissions.

Keywords

💡API

API stands for Application Programming Interface. It is a set of rules and protocols for building and interacting with software applications. In the context of the video, APIs are likened to waiters in a restaurant, providing an interface for users to interact with complex systems without needing to understand the underlying processes. The video explains how APIs enable different programs to work together, access data, and perform tasks, highlighting their importance in modern technology.

💡Third-Party Data Access

Third-Party Data Access refers to the ability of an application to retrieve information from external sources. The video uses the example of weather apps that use APIs to access data from weather forecasting services like The Weather Channel. This concept is crucial as it demonstrates how APIs facilitate the integration of services and data from different providers, enriching user experience without the need for each service to independently collect and manage all data.

💡Abstraction

Abstraction in programming is the process of hiding the complex reality while exposing only the necessary parts. The video explains how APIs abstract complexity, allowing developers to focus on their applications' functionality without needing to understand the intricate details of how underlying systems work, such as setting up a WiFi connection or interacting with hardware sensors. This concept is central to the video's theme, as it illustrates the efficiency and ease APIs bring to software development.

💡Functionality Extension

Functionality Extension through APIs refers to the ability to add new features or capabilities to existing systems. The video gives examples like iOS apps that can display widgets in the Notification Center and how personal assistants like Google Assistant can be extended through APIs to control smart home devices. This keyword is significant as it shows how APIs are not just for data access but also for enhancing and customizing the capabilities of software and hardware.

💡Gatekeepers

Gatekeepers in the context of APIs are mechanisms that control access to sensitive data or resources. The video discusses how mobile operating systems use APIs to manage permissions for apps to access user data like location or microphone. This concept is important as it highlights the role of APIs in safeguarding privacy and ensuring that apps only have access to the data they need, with the user's consent.

💡Personal Data

Personal Data refers to any information that can be used to identify an individual. The video touches on how APIs can act as gatekeepers for personal data, allowing users to control which apps and services have access to their information. It also discusses the importance of being aware of and managing permissions to protect privacy, using the example of how Cambridge Analytica accessed user data through the Facebook API.

💡Operating Systems

Operating Systems are the software that manages computer hardware and software resources. The video uses operating systems to illustrate how APIs provide developers with tools to create applications without having to deal with the complexities of hardware interaction. This keyword is integral to understanding how APIs simplify development and allow for a focus on creating user-friendly applications.

💡Widgets

Widgets are small applications that can be embedded in a user interface, such as a smartphone's home screen or notification center. The video mentions how iOS apps can use APIs to create widgets, demonstrating the practical application of APIs in enhancing user interaction and providing quick access to app features. This keyword is a specific example of how APIs extend functionality.

💡Smart Home Devices

Smart Home Devices are appliances or systems that connect to the internet and can be controlled remotely. The video uses smart plugs as an example of how APIs can be used to integrate these devices with personal assistant services like Google Assistant, enabling new ways to interact with home systems. This keyword is relevant as it shows the practical application of APIs in the IoT (Internet of Things) domain.

💡Permission

Permission in the context of APIs refers to the user's consent for an app or service to access certain data or capabilities. The video discusses how APIs are used to request and manage permissions, which is crucial for protecting user privacy and ensuring that apps only access the data they need. It also raises awareness about the duration of permissions and the importance of revoking them when they are no longer necessary.

💡Privacy

Privacy in the video script refers to the state of being free from unwanted or undue intrusion, especially in regard to personal information. The discussion around APIs as gatekeepers highlights the importance of privacy in digital interactions, emphasizing the need for users to be aware of and control how their data is accessed and used. This keyword is central to the video's message about the role of APIs in safeguarding personal information.

Highlights

APIs act as interfaces that simplify interactions with complex systems, similar to how a waiter acts in a restaurant.

APIs enable access to third-party data without the need for direct involvement in data collection.

Weather apps use APIs to retrieve weather predictions from third-party services.

APIs facilitate the exchange of information between different apps and services.

There are numerous APIs available for various types of data, from recipes to public holidays.

APIs help hide the complexity of tasks, allowing users to perform actions without understanding the underlying processes.

Operating systems provide APIs that simplify tasks for app developers, such as setting up a WiFi connection.

APIs can extend the functionality of existing systems, like iOS apps showing widgets in the Notification Center.

Personal assistants like Siri and Google Assistant use APIs to integrate with third-party services and expand their capabilities.

APIs serve as gatekeepers, controlling access to sensitive data and requiring permission from users.

Mobile platforms have centralized APIs for accessing location data, which helps in managing permissions.

APIs can protect personal data, but users should be aware of the duration of permissions granted to apps.

The Cambridge Analytica scandal highlighted the importance of being cautious with API permissions and data access.

APIs are ubiquitous and play a crucial role in modern technology, from data access to enhancing system capabilities.

APIs help developers focus on their core tasks by abstracting complex functionalities.

APIs can act as gatekeepers to safeguard personal data and ensure it's only shared with chosen apps.

It's important for users to understand and manage the permissions they grant to apps and services via APIs.

Transcripts

When you hang around programmers, you might have heard about APIs and how they can be

used to perform certain tasks or retrieve some data.

But what are these exactly, and why were they created?

Let me explain the problem with a simple, non-IT related example.

When you go to a restaurant and order some food, you interact with the waiter.

You can order food and drinks, ask questions about the menu, request and pay the bill,

and much more.

In this example, the waiter is shielding you from all the complicated stuff that happens

behind the scenes.

You don’t have to worry about stoves, ovens, dishes, managing stock, or pouring drinks.

He is the interface between you and all of the services that a restaurant offers.

Giving you a way to interact with the restaurant while still shielding you from all the complexity

behind the scenes.

In a way, the waiter can be seen as the API of the restaurant, and through this example,

you intuitively understand why they are useful.

The term API stands for Application Programmable Interface, and it’s a way for different

programs to work together in various ways.

There are many types of API’s and reasons why they are used.

I’ll highlight 4 of them here:

For starters, API’s can be used to get access to data from third parties.

In the restaurant example, the waiter can provide you information on the status of your

order, without you having to go to the kitchen yourself.

Another example would be the weather app on your phone.

Google or Apple have not gone out and put temperature sensors all over the world.

No, instead these apps use the API of a third-party to retrieve weather predictions.

Apple for instance is using the API of The Weather Channel.

API’s allow different apps and services to exchange information.

These days, it’s hard to find a service that doesn’t have an API.

There are API’s to lookup recipes, lyrics, information on barcodes, zip codes, available

parking spaces, public holidays, and so on and so on.

Aside from just accessing data, API's can also be used to hide complexity and perform

tasks.

In the restaurant example, you don’t need to know how to prepare a perfect roll of Sushi,

you just order one.

Another example would be the operating systems on our computers and phones.

App developers don’t have to worry about setting up a WiFi connection, drawing shapes

onto the screen to make a beautiful user interface or how to talk to the various sensors like

the accelerometer or GPS.

No, instead the operating system gives developers a bunch of API’s that simplify all of this.

If an app wants to show a button on the screen, it just asks the system to render one.

The app doesn’t have to worry about what device it is running on, what hardware it

has, screen resolution, or anything like that.

It makes developers more efficient because they can focus on what matters to them.

But aside from accessing data and abstracting complexity, API's can also be used to extend

functionality.

For instance, on iOS, applications can show a widget in Notification Center.

And to do that, the app notifies the system through an API that it has a widget available.

And if the user adds it to their Notification Center, the system will contact the app to

ask how it should display the widget.

Another example is Siri, Google Assistant or Alexa.

These personal assistants are quite clever but external developers can use the assistant’s

API to extend the functionalities even further.

My Google Home for instance didn’t know how to turn my smart plugs on and off.

But that changed, when the vendor integrated with the Google Assistant through its API.

Suddenly, Google became aware of the new hardware, its capabilities and how to interact with

them.

Nice!

You might not realize it, but API’s are all around us.

You’ve probably seen messages like these, your phone asking for permission to use your

location or microphone.

That brings us to the final use case: API’s can be used as gatekeepers.

For instance, on mobile platforms, the system only has a handful of API’s that can be

used to get your location.

And because it’s centralized in the system, it’s really easy for iOS or Android to notify

you when an app is using your location.

So it’s not the app that is being nice, and asks permission first.

No, it’s the system that does it for them.

There’s no way around it.

What’s more, the system also gives the ability to revoke this permission at a later time,

should you change your mind.

So every time your phone asks you for permission, you know that an app is using an API of the

system.

And one that is privacy sensitive.

And while that is great, there is an issue with this: usually permission is only asked

once.

You might have used your Google or Facebook account to login to another website or app.

It’s easy, fast and convenient.

But by doing that, we also give the website or app the permission to access some of our

data.

Like our name or email address.

This is great, because it puts us in control of our personal data.

If you don’t want to share it, you just deny it.

However, the problem here is that sometimes these permissions are long lasting and after

a while we forget what apps or websites we gave permission to access our data.

This is what allowed Cambridge Analytica to collect massive amounts of data through the

Facebook API.

They created a “personality quiz” that asked for permission to get some of your personal

data.

However, if you gave it permission, the app could silently access your data for months,

even if you didn’t use it anymore.

Instead, you had to revoke the permission through the Facebook website.

So, in short: API’s can act as gatekeepers, protecting our personal data and only giving

it out to the apps we choose.

But we should be aware about how long those permissions last, and revoke them when we

no longer use an app.

So time for a conclusion.

API’s are all around us.

They are used to get access to data so that multiple apps or services can work together.

They can also hide complexity for developers, allowing them to not waste time on figuring

out how GPS works for instance.

API’s can also be used to extend functionality of existing systems and finally, they can

act as gatekeepers to protect our personal data.

I hope this video brought some clarity to a topic that is mostly discussed among developers.

Let me know your thoughts or questions in the comments below.

Thank you so much for watching and till next time!