Application Program Interface (API) (API)

An API is a set of system calls or routines for application programs to access services from operating systems or other programs. An API allows your program to work with other programs, possibly on other computers. API is fundamental to client/server computing. ArcView provides this service to ARC/INFO users.

A language and message format used by an application program to communicate with the operating system or some other system, control program, or communications protocol.

1. A formalized set of software calls and routines that can be referenced by an application program in order to access supporting network services. 2. The interface between the application software and the application platform, across which all services are provided. The application program interface is primarily in support of application portability, but system and application interoperability are also supported by a communication API [POSIX.0].