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API and Cloud Computing-Ref. Material

An Application Programming Interface (API) is a software intermediary that enables communication between applications, allowing them to share data and functionality without needing to understand each other's internal workings. APIs have become essential for modern web applications, facilitating interoperability and enhancing productivity for developers. Cloud computing, which delivers services like data storage and software over the Internet, relies heavily on APIs and offers various models such as SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS, while also presenting challenges like security concerns.

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5 views3 pages

API and Cloud Computing-Ref. Material

An Application Programming Interface (API) is a software intermediary that enables communication between applications, allowing them to share data and functionality without needing to understand each other's internal workings. APIs have become essential for modern web applications, facilitating interoperability and enhancing productivity for developers. Cloud computing, which delivers services like data storage and software over the Internet, relies heavily on APIs and offers various models such as SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS, while also presenting challenges like security concerns.

Uploaded by

gurunadhanagaraj2408
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Application Programming Interface (API)

An application programming interface (API) is a connection between computers or


between computer programs. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other
pieces of software. A document or standard that describes how to build or use such a
connection or interface is called an API specification.
An API is often made up of different parts which act as tools or services that are
available to the programmer. A program or a programmer that uses one of these parts is
said to call that portion of the API. The calls that make up the API are also known
as subroutines, methods, requests, or endpoints. An API specification defines these
calls, meaning that it explains how to use or implement them.
One purpose of APIs is to hide the internal details of how a system works, exposing
only those parts a programmer will find useful and keeping them consistent even if the
internal details later change. An API may be custom-built for a particular pair of
systems, or it may be a shared standard allowing interoperability among many systems.
The term API is often used to refer to web APIs, which allow communication between
computers that are joined by the internet. There are also APIs for programming
languages, software libraries, computer operating systems, and computer hardware.

API is the acronym for Application Programming Interface, which is a software


intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other. Each time you use an
app like Facebook, send an instant message, or check the weather on your phone, you
are using an API.

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An application programming interface or API enables companies to open up their
applications’ data and functionality to external third-party developers, business partners,
and internal departments within their companies. This allows services and products to
communicate with each other and leverage each other’s data and functionality through
a documented interface.

Developers don't need to know how an API is implemented; they simply use the
interface to communicate with other products and services. API use has surged over the
past decade, to the degree that many of the most popular web applications today would
not be possible without APIs.

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What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is the delivery of different services through the Internet. These
resources include tools and applications like data storage, servers, databases,
networking, and software.

Rather than keeping files on a proprietary hard drive or local storage


device, cloud-based storage makes it possible to save them to a remote database. As
long as an electronic device has access to the web, it has access to the data and the
software programs to run it.

Cloud computing is a popular option for people and businesses for a number of reasons
including cost savings, increased productivity, speed and efficiency, performance, and
security.

Cloud computing is named as such because the information being accessed is found
remotely in the cloud or a virtual space. Companies that provide cloud services enable
users to store files and applications on remote servers and then access all the data via
the Internet. This means the user is not required to be in a specific place to gain access
to it, allowing the user to work remotely.

Cloud computing takes all the heavy lifting involved in crunching and processing data
away from the device you carry around or sit and work at. It also moves all of that work
to huge computer clusters far away in cyberspace. The Internet becomes the cloud, and
your data, work, and applications are available from any device with which you can
connect to the Internet, anywhere in the world.

● Cloud computing is the delivery of different services through the Internet,


including data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software.
● Cloud-based storage makes it possible to save files to a remote database and
retrieve them on demand.
● Services can be both public and private—public services are provided online for
a fee while private services are hosted on a network to specific clients.

Regardless of the kind of service, cloud computing services provide users with a series
of functions including:

● Email
● Storage, backup, and data retrieval
● Creating and testing apps
● Analyzing data
● Audio and video streaming
● Delivering software on demand
Types of Cloud Services:
Cloud computing is a system primarily comprised of three
services: software-as-a-service (SaaS), infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), and
platform-as-a-service (PaaS).

1. Software-as-a-service (SaaS) involves the licensure of a software application to


customers. Licenses are typically provided through a pay-as-you-go model or
on-demand. This type of system can be found in Microsoft Office's 365.
2. Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) involves a method for delivering everything
from operating systems to servers and storage through IP-based connectivity as
part of an on-demand service. Clients can avoid the need to purchase software
or servers, and instead procure these resources in an outsourced, on-demand
service. Popular examples of the IaaS system include IBM Cloud and Microsoft
Azure.
3. Platform-as-a-service (PaaS) is considered the most complex of the three
layers of cloud-based computing. PaaS shares some similarities with SaaS, the
primary difference being that instead of delivering software online, it is actually a
platform for creating software that is delivered via the Internet. This model
includes platforms like Salesforce.com and Heroku.

Businesses can employ cloud computing in different ways. Some users maintain all
apps and data on the cloud, while others use a hybrid model, keeping certain apps and
data on private servers and others on the cloud.

Cloud computing is still a fairly new service but is being used by a number of different
organizations from big corporations to small businesses, nonprofits to government
agencies, and even individual consumers.

When it comes to providing services, the big players in the cloud computing includes:

● Google Cloud
● Amazon Web Services (AWS)
● Microsoft Azure
● IBM Cloud
● Alibaba Cloud

Challenges in Cloud Computing:

With all of the speed, efficiencies, and innovations that come with cloud computing,
there are, naturally, risks. Security has always been a big concern with the cloud
especially when it comes to sensitive medical records and financial information. While
regulations force cloud computing services to rise up their security and compliance
measures, it remains an ongoing issue.

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