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ReadersSpeak

What's an API? data and functionality through a documented interface.
Developers don't need to know how an API is implemented;
know that API stands for application programming they simply use the interface to communicate with other
interface, which is kind of an awkward phrase, but I products and services. API use has surged over the past
don't really grasp the function. I'm new to the indus- decade, to the degree that many of the most popular web
I try. All the terminology is overwhelming. Becoming applications today would not be possible without APIs.
a true payments pro someday seems out of reach.
"APIs offer security by design because their position as
Holly Boyan middleman facilitates the abstraction of functionality
Merchant Level Salesperson between two systems—the API endpoint decouples the
Holly, consuming application from the infrastructure providing
the service. API calls usually include authorization
People who enter the industry often encounter a steep credentials to reduce the risk of attacks on the server, and
learning curve, and many of them persist and succeed. It's an API gateway can limit access to minimize security
good to take it one step at a time and also realize that this threats. Also, during the exchange, HTTP headers, cookies,
industry is always changing. That means we all encounter or query string parameters provide additional security
new concepts and technical innovations on the job, and we layers to the data."
all have to keep learning as we go. You are not alone.
IBM has more information on how APIs work at www.ibm.
So to answer your question, here's an excerpt from IBM's com/cloud/learn/api. One step at a time you can learn what
website that provides a clear explanation: you need to thrive in the industry.
Editor
"An application programming interface, or API,
enables companies to open up their applications’ data Ongoing professional development
and functionality to external third-party developers, How do you manage your ongoing learning to stay abreast
business partners, and internal departments within
their companies. This allows services and products to of new developments so you can remain competent and
competitive as a payments professional? Let us know at
communicate with each other and leverage each other’s
greensheet@greensheet.com.