APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, allow applications to interact and exchange information effortlessly. If you can use it correctly, you can boost your efficiency, and can avoid repetitive manual tasks.
In this blog, we'll break down step-by-step instructions on how to use APIs, their types, examples, and other relevant things.
How to Use an API?
In this part, we’ll be discussing a 5-step guide on the process. Let’s check it out.
Step 1: Select an API
The very first method is to select an API to incorporate into your purpose. Most probably you already have something in mind as you’re looking forward to learning how to use it. However, if you haven’t selected anything yet, you can search for any free or paid API. Now, if it’s your first time using API then we would recommend going for a free API.
One such free API is Gmail API and we will use it in this tutorial. To select the API, visit Google Workspace and select Gmail API>Quickstart>Python. If you find it difficult to understand follow the image
Step 2: Check the API Documentation and Enable the API
Once you’ve picked the mail API it’s time to go through the API documentation. There you’ll find the objectives and prerequisites. You’ll also find the API key in the document if required.
Now to follow this tutorial, you'll have to complete a few tasks.
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Set up a Google Cloud project
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If you don’t have a Gmail account, create one.
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Install Python 3.10.7 (Or the latest version)
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Install the pip package manager.
Tip: Always remember to keep your key private. If your key gets into the wrong hands, someone could use it to make requests through your API on your behalf. If such a breach occurs, you have the option to deactivate your old key and get a new one.
Step 3: Write a Request to an Endpoint
Next, you'll have to request or instruct the API on what you want it to do. This involves using methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE.
To start, here's how you can make a GET request using Gmail's API. This code, provided by Google, will retrieve and display the labels you've saved in Gmail on your console.
1. First copy the sample quickstart code you’ll find on the website.
2. Now, open any text editor like Notepad for Windows or TextEdit for Mac and paste the code in the text editor.
3. Save this code as "sample.py" in the folder where you plan to keep all the files for this project. This folder is known as your working directory.
4. Launch your command line client; Terminal for Mac or Command Line for Windows. Then go to your working directory.
(Hint: In Terminal, type "cd" followed by a space, then drag your project folder from your file system into the terminal, and hit Enter.)
5. Type in python3 sample.py and hit Enter.
If you can follow the steps properly it will pull up all your Gmail label data.
Step 4: Connect Your App or Web
As you now know how to send requests to your preferred API, you can proceed to synchronize your application or web with it. However, you don’t have to take care of this part if you aren’t a skilled developer.
You can leave this aspect of API integration to developers, who specialize in languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript (including Node.js), PHP, and others.
We’ve discussed the basic way of using the Gmail API. But if your API is already selected and it’s the ChatGPT API, then you can read our other article on How to use ChatGPT API.
Types of APIs
Till now you’ve learned about the basics of API. But now if you’re interested in the types of API then check out the below section. There are mainly 4 types of API, they are:
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Private APIs: These are exclusively for a company's internal use to boost efficiency and transparency. Only the company's developers can use them.
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Partner APIs: Such APIs are shared externally but only with businesses that have a partnership with the API company. This allows the company to control access and usage.
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Open APIs: They are also known as public APIs and are available for external use. You’ll find some of them (RapidAPI or Zomato) free and some require a subscription fee based on usage.
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Composite APIs: Composite APIs are like bundling up your requests to different places and getting all the responses in one go. So, instead of asking five different places separately for stuff, you can ask them all at once with a composite API. Such APIs are special because you can mix them up with other types of APIs. Like, you could have a combo of a private one and an open one.
If you’re having difficulties understanding this, here is an example. On an online store, a composite API brings together info from the store's products, a third-party inventory system, and user reviews. This means when you search for a product, you get all the details, availability, and reviews in one go.
Why Should You Use API: Real-Life Examples
Using artificial intelligence, different platforms are developing APIs. In this segment, I'll be discussing the 5 real examples of API usage.
1. YouTube API
Image Source: YouTube
YouTube APIs allow you to enhance your website and get access to YouTube's vast library of videos. Here are some reasons why you might want to use a YouTube API:
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Play videos right within your application.
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Allow users to search for content and upload videos.
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Create and organize playlists.
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Understand how users engage with your videos and channel.
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Schedule live broadcasts.
2. Google Map API
If you’re creating apps that rely on location, The Google Maps APIs are highly essential for you. For example, someone building a real estate app; with Google Maps APIs, the app developer can easily show a street view of a property.
Well, Google's got a wide library of APIs with unlimited uses. Need directions? Want to add Places to your website? There's even one for making a ridesharing app. They've organized the APIs based on what you're using them for and which platform you're building on (like web, iOS, or Android.) So just pick the right one for your project.
3. Twitter APIs
If you’re working for a company highly active on Twitter, their APIs can boost interaction on your website.
Twitter offers a bunch of APIs that let you dive into their huge collection of tweets. With these APIs, you can find old tweets, add timelines to your site, or manage ad campaigns. Plus, there are other APIs that let you:
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Filter and stream tweets in real time.
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Offer personalized customer service through direct messages.
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Keep tabs on the activities of more than 15 accounts with webhooks.
4. Instagram APIs
If your business is offering services like content publishing, metrics tracking, and more then Instagram's wide range of APIs can be super handy for you.
One cool thing you can do using the APIs is display user-generated Instagram photos in your app. User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful way to show off social proof and attract potential customers.
Developers use Instagram's platform to create apps and services for three main groups:
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People who want to share their own content with other apps.
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Brands and advertisers who need insights into their audience and media rights.
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Broadcasters who want to find content, get digital rights, or share it with proper credit.
5. Paypal APIs
PayPal offers a good number of APIs that let you add PayPal features right into your app. This means users don't have to go to PayPal's site separately. Some of these APIs are:
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Billing Plans API
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Catalog Products API
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Disputes API
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Invoicing, Orders, and Payments APIs you're probably familiar with.
So, if you're making an online store or running a membership group, PayPal APIs can handle all your transaction needs. And if you ever get stuck, PayPal has great support. You can find answers to common questions and get assistance from developers who know all about integrating PayPal.
Some Basics of APIs
If you want to learn completely about how to use an API, it’s better to understand the basics of an API. The below table will help you understand the key components of API.
| Component / Process | Description |
|---|---|
| API client | Initiates API requests, often triggered by users or events, makes API use easier for people |
| API key | Unique passcode for accessing |
| API requests | Messages sent to request data or services from a server. Includes endpoints, request methods, parameters, and headers. |
| API server | Software on a server that handles API requests, checks security and authentication, retrieves/manipulates data, and more |
| API response | Generated by the API server, includes status code, response headers, and response body based on the client's request. |
| SOAP API | A structured API using XML schema messaging format, suitable for secure transactions but slower compared to REST APIs. |
What is an API Key?
An API key is a unique passcode provided by the API provider to authenticate and authorize access to their services. It ensures that only authorized users can make requests to the API, maintains security, and prevents misuse.
Can Python be Used for API?
Yes, you can use Python for API development and integration. Python's powerful frameworks like Flask and Django and an extensive library make it a popular choice for building and consuming APIs.
Why Use an API?
You should use APIs because they help in seamless data exchange, automation, and innovation, and save costs in business operations. Moreover, APIs reduce development time and effort by enhancing agility, customization, and revenue streams.
Final Words
So, that’s almost everything about today’s topic and I hope after the whole article you won’t have any confusion on how to use an API. Once again we would mention that to learn the best usage you should follow the API documentation and always use the highest level of security to keep your API secure.
Remember the process can be slightly different for different APIs. So, always try to find the tutorial for your particular API. Good Luck using your next API!
