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In [[Programming language|computer programming]], an '''application programming interface''' ('''API''') is a set of subroutine definitions, [[communication protocols]], and tools for building software. In general terms, it is a set of clearly defined methods of communication among various components. A good API makes it easier to develop a [[computer program]] by providing all the building blocks, which are then put together by the [[programmer]].
An API may be for a web-based system, [[operating system|opera]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/85872549|title=Wi-Fi hotspots|last=1984-|first=Geier, Eric,|date=2006|publisher=Cisco Press|isbn=1587052660|oclc=85872549}}</ref>[[operating system|ti]]<nowiki/>ng [[operating system|system]], [[database system]], computer hardware, or [[Library (computing)|software library]].
An API specification can take many forms, but often includes specifications for [[subroutine|routines]], [[data structure]]s, [[Class (computer programming)|object classes]], [[variable (computer science)|variable]]s, or [[Remote procedure call|remote calls]]. [[POSIX]], [[Windows API]] and [[Advanced SCSI programming interface|ASPI]] are examples of different forms of APIs. Documentation for the API usually is provided to facilitate usage and implementation.
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