API - Application Programming Interface

Definition: An API allows computer programmers to access the functionality of pre-built software modules. An API defines data structures and subroutine calls. Networking APIs are entry points to libraries that implement network and data communication protocols.

Traditionally, the primary networking APIs have been implemented in socket libraries. Berkeley sockets and Windows Sockets (Winsock) APIs have seen widespread use for many years. More recently, Java network APIs such as servlets and Web APIs like XML-RPC have emerged as newer network programming standards.

Also Known As: Application Programming Interface