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What are APIs?

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are constructs made available in programming languages to allow developers to create complex functionality more easily. They abstract more complex code away from you, providing some easier syntax to use in its place.

Types of Web APIs:

  • Browser APIs:Built into the web browser and provide access to functionalities like the DOM manipulation, geolocation, file handling, and more.
  • Third-party APIs: Provided by external services like social media platforms, map services, or payment gateways. You'll need to integrate their code or libraries to use them.

    • How to use Web APIs:

  • Browser APIs: These are generally accessed directly using JavaScript functions or objects. Refer to the specific API documentation for usage details.
  • Third-party APIs:These APIs typically have their own documentation that outlines how to integrate them. This often involves including their JavaScript library and using their functions or objects as instructed.
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    Examples of Web APIs:

  • Fetch API: Enables making asynchronous HTTP requests to fetch data from servers.
  • Geolocation API:Allows accessing the user's location with their permission.
  • Local Storage API:Provides a way to store data locally on the user's device.
  • Google Maps API: Lets you embed interactive maps into your web pages.

    • The specific Web APIs you'll use will depend on the functionalities you want to build in your web application. Keep exploring and learning to unlock the potential of these powerful tools!
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