An application programming interface (API) is a standardized set of routines, definitions, and protocols that allow developers to build software on top of existing libraries and services. APIs abstract implementation and expose only necessary objects and actions to the developer. This allows for a stable interface while the underlying implementation may change.

Within cloud computing, developers use APIs to manage servers and other resources, most often through conventional HTTP requests.

For more resources about APIs, please visit:

• How to Use the DigitalOcean API
• How To Use Web APIs in Python 3
• Tech Talk: Creating a Laravel (PHP) API

A complete list of our API-related tutorials, questions, and other educational resources can be found on our API tag page.