API: Application Programming Interface; interface (description) for the programming of applications
An API is a collection of defined interfaces for the activation of an instrument, an operating system or an application.
It is provided by the producer or another site to make the software creation for a system easier. Frequently used functions are provided as callable functions to standardise and simplify the accesses to parts of the system. To the developer the existence of an API means that he only must have the exact specifications and options of the respective software-library instead of special knowledge of the system.
An API is a collection of defined interfaces for the activation of a unit, an operating system or an application.
It is made avaliable by the producer or any other provider to make software development easier for the system. Frequently used functions are provided as callable functions to standardise and simplify the access on system elements. To the developer the existence of an API means that he needs the exact spezifications and options of the respective software library only but no more any special system knowledge.