What is the role of APIs in software development?

Means of communication:

APIs facilitate sharing of data and functionality between different software modules or services. It helps different applications to work together.

Integration:

Different software systems and services can be integrated through APIs, thereby achieving a combined functionality. Such as payment gateways, map services, social media logins, etc.

Modularity:

APIs help to make software development modular, making development and testing easier. Developers can develop and test different modules separately.

Data exchange:

APIs make data exchange between different applications simple and secure. It ensures that data is transferred correctly and securely from one application to another.

Scalability:

Applications can be made scalable using APIs. New features and services can be easily added without affecting the existing system.

Security:

APIs allow developers to implement various security mechanisms (such as authentication and authorization) to protect data and services.