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== Definition ==
An '''application programming interface''' ('''API''') is an [[interface]] implemented by a [[software program]] to enable [[interaction]] with other [[software]], much in the same way that a [[user interface]] facilitates [[interaction]] between humans and [[computer]]s.
{{Quote|is the point of [[interaction]] between the [[application software]] and the [[application platform]] (i.e., [[operating system]]), across which all services are provided.<ref>[[Information Security: Advances and Remaining Challenges to Adoption of Public Key Infrastructure Technology]], at 9 n.2.</ref>}}
== Overview ==
== References ==
APIs are implemented by [[application]]s, [[libraries]] and [[operating system]]s to determine the vocabulary and calling conventions the [[programmer]] should employ to use their services. It may include specifications for [[subroutine]]s, [[data structure]]s, [[object class]]es and [[protocol]]s used to communicate between the consumer and implementer of the [[API]].
<references />
{{Wikipedia|Application programming interface}}
[[Category:Software]]
[[Category:Definition]]
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