<a href="https://www.codecademy.com/resources/blog/what-to-know-about-apis/">APIs (Application Programming Interface)</a> are software that allow two applications to communicate and share data with each other — usually in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format. You can think of an API almost like a virtual post office, sending data from one app to another.

<a href="https://www.codecademy.com/article/what-is-rest">REST (Representational State Transfer)</a> is an architectural style that helps standardize computer systems and communications, so a REST API is an API that adheres to RESTful standards. REST APIs tend to be more flexible across different platforms and more scalable with streamlined server components.

What do APIs do? // What can I do with an API?

APIs provide a crucial service, allowing two applications to share data, so they’re very valuable. In fact, many tech companies build their own APIs or make certain datasets available to the public (to be integrated with other APIs) to generate income.

APIs play a huge role in modern web development. The web is made up of millions (or even billions) of different programs, applications, and devices that constantly share information with each other, and without APIs, it’d be much more difficult to interact with other apps.

What kind of jobs work with APIs?

All kinds of developers and engineers work with APIs, from Back-End and Full-Stack Developers who build and deploy them to Data Scientists and Analysts who use them to access relevant data. It can also be a solid career path — many developers specialize in creating APIs.

What else should I study if I am learning about API development?

It would help to learn more about how data is stored and shared between servers and clients on the back-end, and you can also learn more about REST and other protocols like SOAP and JMS. And if you want to learn how to build better APIs, it might help to pick up the basics of cybersecurity, including user authentication and authorization practices.

Course

API Development with Swagger and OpenAPI

Learn how to develop APIs using Swagger tooling and the OpenAPI specification.

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4,924 learners enrolled

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Skill level
Intermediate
Time to complete
Average based on combined completion rates — individual pacing in lessons, projects, and quizzes may vary

<1 hour
Prerequisites
2 courses

We suggest you complete the following courses before you get started with API Development with Swagger and OpenAPI:
Learn HTML
Learn CSS

About this course

Are you getting a handle on building APIs and are ready to take your skills to the next level? Well, dive into exploring API development with open-source Swagger tooling and the OpenAPI standard. This course primarily focuses on exploring the design and documentation stage of the API development lifecycle and will help you create APIs that users will love working with.

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David Patlut

David studied Computer Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He was previously a software engineering instructor at Fullstack Academy and New York Code & Design Academy.

David studied Computer Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Prior to joining Codecademy, he was a software engineering instructor at Fullstack Academy and New York Code & Design Academy.

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