What is an API (Application Programming Interface)?

The protocols and tools for building software applications which allow different systems or components to communicate and share data seamlessly. APIs ease integration of new software (like PIM software) with existing tech stacks. It defines the methods and data formats which can be used to perform various operations, such as retrieving, updating, and managing data across different platforms, and is the intermediary enabling the exchange and manipulation of data among different software applications or databases. This is important for scenarios where real-time data access, synchronisation, or aggregation is needed. APIs help to automate these processes and reduce the complexity involved.