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{{redirect|API}}
In [[computer programming]], an '''application programming interface''' ('''API''') is a set of [[subroutine]] definitions, [[wiktionary:Protocol|protocols]], and tools for building [[application software]]. In general terms, it is a set of clearly defined methods of communication between various software 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]], [[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]], [[Microsoft]] [[Windows API]], the [[C++]] [[Standard Template Library]] and [[List of Java APIs|Java API]]s are examples of different forms of APIs.
Documentation for the API is usually provided to facilitate usage.
== Purpose ==
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