I've always enjoyed the restaurant anology as well. The cooks in the kitchen are the back end, dining area for guests is the front end, and the servers are the APIs.
I'm amazed at how easily you've cleared this up for me. I got 2 minutes into the video and subscribed because I've been trying to find a clear fast paced source of information on stuff like this to expand my knowledge. Thank you so much!
I must be an idiot because I still don't understand what an API even is after watching this twice Edit: 9 months later and I’m still getting notifications about this. If anything I’m glad my comment made others feel less alone about not understanding. We’ll get there guys
Hey Aaron, nice video. I liked how you said the Uber app is actually a bunch of little apps all connected together via APIs, and that there's teams of developers working on each app. I'm pretty sure that mostly all people on this planet don't realize the sheer amount of time and mental effort that goes into creating software. My mind boggles when I think about things like operating systems and artificial intelligence and robotics and the amount of thought and trial and error that's gone through to date to have what we have so far. I really take my hat off to and appreciate the great minds that having built everything we have and take for granted. It's a dream of mine to contribute even something ½ a percent as great as all the big tech stuff we enjoy.
Oh my God.... FINAAAALLLYYYY!!!!!!! Dude, you deserve an award for being likely the only person who has explained APIs so well. I have watched so many videos and read too many articles and still left wondering what the hell it is and what it actually does. Thank you!!!!!
This is the channel that keeps me motivated, and I learn something new each time. Thank you, Aaron, for your dedication and hardwork to bring us content.
Just for fun for my coworkers I made a small game in Unity and I had this idea to use the Domino's pizza API so you could complete an action in the game that would order you a pizza.
Excellent explanation. I work in building automation and we use a space scheduling program on our campus. We're exploring an API to connect that scheduling software to our BAS supervisor. It will have to be pretty involved as it will require the API to know exactly which equipment to turn on for which spaces are scheduled for occupancy. We're talking 54 buildings on our BAS system and many of those buildings have 20-100 schedulable rooms or auditoriums. We have a contractor we're in discussions with now that has already implemented this on some other campuses. This quick video helps me understand this process better. Thank you.
I like how you show how many people and parts are required to create one app. I feel like in the beginning of my career, I always thought it was just one person behind a screen, but really, it is thousands of people, and using lots of resources that have already been created!
Your channel is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much for making the leaning process that easy. Your drawings and detailed way of explaining makes everything way easier
API is a series of protocols in order to interact with an application/service. You can think of it as going thru the customs checkpoint of another country(other app). The people(data) in your own app(own country) want to interact with the other app(other country) and its people and facilities(data & functions) So they go through customs(API) where they need the API key(passport) to get access into the other country(other app)
I dont know shit about programming. And i understood this. Great job Aaron. Btw. I liked the style of this video. A really good and nice effect to highlight the text in flashing red light. It was very pronunced without getting clutterly.
Absolutely love this explanation. I have an AAS in Database Development/Computer Systems, quite a bit of fundamental coding courses up to Java III, and with the different definitions and explanations being thrown around, it was actually confusing me, even though I've done quite a bit with APIs. @_@ Thanks man. Fantastic corollary, especially with the username + password analogy.
The connection points of a puzzle piece visually shown as the actual API instantly helped me this understand this concept. This whope video is a gem. Thank you so mich for this. Subscribed
Just discovered your channel through this video. Amazingly explained what API is all about. Thanks a lot! I've never really understood the API concept completely untill I got to watch this video. Subbed you! Appreciate the amazing effort. 👍 🙏 🤩
Great explanation! APIs are like bridges connecting different software systems, enabling seamless communication and functionality. Clear and concise overview, thank you for sharing!
You're right, I didn't need other explanations after this. I reckon you can even explain my entire lifes problems in just 5 minutes. Lo, but in a serious note, From this one video, I am hooked! Will be watching more of your videos. Thank you
Great video, the learning experience was enjoyable. I enjoy learning about tech. Yet too often the videos become boring after a while and sometimes hard to understand. Your explanation was easy to understand and entertaining without feeling like it’s a commercial advert. Thank you, I’m subscribing for sure.
Just found this video as I'm looking at an entry level support role that wants knowledge on APIs. Thanks for sharing. Helps give a nice "nuts and bolts" idea on the!
Just stumbled upon your content. Your point of view is exhilarating. You're providing a fresh look at Computer Science. Thankyou, looking forward to giving you thorough review 😊
Wow, the timing on this one. I'm building my first personal project for my portfolio and the backend is an API I'm connecting to a front-end with vanilla JavaScript.
You weren’t kidding when you said this was the only video I’d ever need to understand APIs! Fantastic explanation- definitely going to check out more of your videos
This video has helped me understand that API's can also be used internally on the same app connecting different components. Most videos focus on API's connecting other Apps.
I watched this not knowing a single thing about APIs. Still didn't quite get it. Came back after countless videos, and it's starting to click. Thanks man
As with _every_ resource I've found in pursuit of a simple answer to this simple question, this video explains what an API _does,_ but *not* what an API _is._ Is it a document? A program? A policy? A function? An algorithm? By giving access to their API, what kind of thing is a company letting people access?
Long story short, from a very scientific perspective an API is the abstraction layer/s that abstract/s off operating system calls. Abstraction can be data abstraction or behavioral abstraction or a mix of both. Abstraction is the same word as "Interface". I noticed a lot of people have already abused the API definition by resembling it as a request/respose tag, NOOOOO, the API is much a bigger thing, it's a crucial part of detailed-design following the architectural design. By providing proper abstractions, you can even build cross-platform applications on the top of APIs that abstract off platform calls into platform-specific channels.... THAT's way bigger than the naive explanation of a request/response thing!! EDIT: Btw, everything we use nowadays is an API, your OpenJDK, your OS libraries are APIs for the OS Kernel, OpenGL and Vulkan have APIs built for their specifications, Game Engines have APIs built on top of Graphics/Sound Engine/OS libraries, and tons and tons of code are APIs.........
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I've always enjoyed the restaurant anology as well. The cooks in the kitchen are the back end, dining area for guests is the front end, and the servers are the APIs.
Angela Yu
💯
I think servers is the wrong word to use here maybe waiters/waitresses
@@schwarzmann1 yeah, you're right, makes clearer sense referring to them as waiters and waitresses.
I use this definition all the time.
'UI works for users, and API works for code.' Thank you for this sentence!
I'm amazed at how easily you've cleared this up for me. I got 2 minutes into the video and subscribed because I've been trying to find a clear fast paced source of information on stuff like this to expand my knowledge. Thank you so much!
I must be an idiot because I still don't understand what an API even is after watching this twice
Edit: 9 months later and I’m still getting notifications about this. If anything I’m glad my comment made others feel less alone about not understanding. We’ll get there guys
😂
your comment gave me a lot of comfort thanks lol
read my comment same here.
Guys I’ll make it simple. An API is what connects apps together. So your front end UI to backend.
Okay not just me😂
Hey Aaron, nice video. I liked how you said the Uber app is actually a bunch of little apps all connected together via APIs, and that there's teams of developers working on each app.
I'm pretty sure that mostly all people on this planet don't realize the sheer amount of time and mental effort that goes into creating software. My mind boggles when I think about things like operating systems and artificial intelligence and robotics and the amount of thought and trial and error that's gone through to date to have what we have so far.
I really take my hat off to and appreciate the great minds that having built everything we have and take for granted.
It's a dream of mine to contribute even something ½ a percent as great as all the big tech stuff we enjoy.
My exact thoughts. 💯
Well said! feel the exact same way. Learning programming truly gives you an appreciation to the tech we use daily.
really humble of you man, hope you make it! 😊
Oh my God.... FINAAAALLLYYYY!!!!!!! Dude, you deserve an award for being likely the only person who has explained APIs so well. I have watched so many videos and read too many articles and still left wondering what the hell it is and what it actually does. Thank you!!!!!
That's why he the GOAT 🐐 ✊🏿
This is the channel that keeps me motivated, and I learn something new each time.
Thank you, Aaron, for your dedication and hardwork to bring us content.
Im on a mission to become a self taught backend coder. Think im in da right place bro. 👍🏼💯
I have watched so many videos on them and this was finally the video that made me understand it😃
I know right!
@@bekjohansson3016 can’t be, because this is oversimplifying the term
But it is a good start
For Real ! Same here
Just for fun for my coworkers I made a small game in Unity and I had this idea to use the Domino's pizza API so you could complete an action in the game that would order you a pizza.
Excellent explanation. I work in building automation and we use a space scheduling program on our campus. We're exploring an API to connect that scheduling software to our BAS supervisor. It will have to be pretty involved as it will require the API to know exactly which equipment to turn on for which spaces are scheduled for occupancy. We're talking 54 buildings on our BAS system and many of those buildings have 20-100 schedulable rooms or auditoriums. We have a contractor we're in discussions with now that has already implemented this on some other campuses. This quick video helps me understand this process better. Thank you.
Hey Jack! I needed a quick API primitive crash course for work and this video did the trick; concise, clear, and visually engaging. Great content!
I like how you show how many people and parts are required to create one app. I feel like in the beginning of my career, I always thought it was just one person behind a screen, but really, it is thousands of people, and using lots of resources that have already been created!
Aaron u just showed how good an English Teacher you were earlier.... Hahaha, you always simplify things for people to understand 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
I agree with you!! I love the way Aaron teaches. He makes it simple and straightforward!
I really do appreciate people like you who make UA-cam videos explaining these things!
this is your second video i am watching today....super useful and concise information...Thanks Aaron
I respect any developer that can summarise a concept in 5mins. They are usually the best, and they are great for Job Interviews 🙄
brilliant analogy...when companies or bosses say "present something on a piece of paper" this is what they want...very creatively done impressive
Not too long, crisp. Awesome work Aaron!
Fantastic video that clearly defines API in a way everyone can understand!
My favorite API is the Twilio API.
Your channel is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much for making the leaning process that easy. Your drawings and detailed way of explaining makes everything way easier
this is the first time , I understand what is an API. . love bro
API is a series of protocols in order to interact with an application/service. You can think of it as going thru the customs checkpoint of another country(other app). The people(data) in your own app(own country) want to interact with the other app(other country) and its people and facilities(data & functions) So they go through customs(API) where they need the API key(passport) to get access into the other country(other app)
I dont know shit about programming. And i understood this. Great job Aaron. Btw. I liked the style of this video. A really good and nice effect to highlight the text in flashing red light. It was very pronunced without getting clutterly.
Might be the most clear explanation of APIs I have seen, and trust me I have seen a bunch of videos trying to make sure I understand APIs
Absolutely love this explanation. I have an AAS in Database Development/Computer Systems, quite a bit of fundamental coding courses up to Java III, and with the different definitions and explanations being thrown around, it was actually confusing me, even though I've done quite a bit with APIs. @_@
Thanks man. Fantastic corollary, especially with the username + password analogy.
Appreciate that man!
1 minute in, and I have already learned a lot. Thanks, Aaron.
Thank you for always inspiring us to learn and to never give up!
Always!!
The connection points of a puzzle piece visually shown as the actual API instantly helped me this understand this concept. This whope video is a gem. Thank you so mich for this. Subscribed
Just discovered your channel through this video. Amazingly explained what API is all about. Thanks a lot!
I've never really understood the API concept completely untill I got to watch this video.
Subbed you! Appreciate the amazing effort. 👍 🙏 🤩
That was the best explanation I’ve seen so far. Thanks.
Thank you so much!!! Best video on UA-cam that quickly describes what an API is
I knew what an API was and even wrote a few myself. But I still learned something and got a different perspective. Thanks!
Great explanation! APIs are like bridges connecting different software systems, enabling seamless communication and functionality. Clear and concise overview, thank you for sharing!
You're right, I didn't need other explanations after this. I reckon you can even explain my entire lifes problems in just 5 minutes. Lo, but in a serious note, From this one video, I am hooked! Will be watching more of your videos. Thank you
You have provided a flawless and comprehensive definition, capturing the essence of everything perfectly.
You explained API really well. I never heard it explained with such ease as you explained it. The illustrations were perfect. thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much! I have been reading about APIs all day and you have made it so much easier to understand.
We really miss this 5 mins videos and your drawings, brings back memories :) thank you Aaron!
This cleared things up really well thanks dude.
incredibly easy to understand and your examples were nice to follow, great content! thank you for posting
That would’ve been the smoothest sponsor plug I’ve ever seen. Great video, helped me understand API’s better than any other video I’ve seen
Amazing video man, thank you! Finally someone who explains the term "API" in human language 🙏
Youre like a one stop shop for all things IT and coding.
Perfect. Thank you for this
Great video, the learning experience was enjoyable. I enjoy learning about tech. Yet too often the videos become boring after a while and sometimes hard to understand. Your explanation was easy to understand and entertaining without feeling like it’s a commercial advert. Thank you, I’m subscribing for sure.
Best API explanation I've seen. Kudos for the examples
dude this has been the most relaxing coding based video i've seen.
Just found this video as I'm looking at an entry level support role that wants knowledge on APIs. Thanks for sharing. Helps give a nice "nuts and bolts" idea on the!
Watched two videos before this one and both were about 10 minutes, this dude made more sense in five minutes
I never understood APIs until now. This made me realise why good communication skills are so important.
Best explanation of APIs I've come across. Thank you.
Glad it helped💪
Just stumbled upon your content. Your point of view is exhilarating. You're providing a fresh look at Computer Science. Thankyou, looking forward to giving you thorough review 😊
Thank you, appreciate that!
You gained a subscriber in less than 5secs 🎉.. Nothing beats direct and explicit.. no grammar 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Thank you Aaron for this fast track into API
Wow, the timing on this one. I'm building my first personal project for my portfolio and the backend is an API I'm connecting to a front-end with vanilla JavaScript.
Aaron....thank you! The puzzle analogy resonated and was helpful.
I understood it in the first 10 seconds!! You are literally the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
god. THANK you. needed this explained to me simply, so many vids are overly technical about this
Thanks for summarizing what an API is.
You weren’t kidding when you said this was the only video I’d ever need to understand APIs!
Fantastic explanation- definitely going to check out more of your videos
This video has helped me understand that API's can also be used internally on the same app connecting different components. Most videos focus on API's connecting other Apps.
High audio quality like this needs to be embraced!!
That makes so much more sense than the blurbs on websites.
I watched this not knowing a single thing about APIs. Still didn't quite get it. Came back after countless videos, and it's starting to click.
Thanks man
Sorry for doubting that this is the only video I need...this is a very good video explaining what an api is
Thank you Aaron, clear and concise, now I'll go into a journey yo understand APIs vs REST APIs!
As with _every_ resource I've found in pursuit of a simple answer to this simple question, this video explains what an API _does,_ but *not* what an API _is._ Is it a document? A program? A policy? A function? An algorithm? By giving access to their API, what kind of thing is a company letting people access?
Your video is well explained, I don't even feel like watching understand video to get a further explanation.
このブログがとても気に入っています！特にAPIデバッグのスキル向上に関する内容が素晴らしいです。実は最近、EchoAPIを使い始めて、そのおかげでデバッグの効率が格段に上がりました。
Wow hard to find such a clear and simple explanation about a complex subject
Awesome video. It gave me the momentum to start working on API connections. Thanks Aaron.
APIs make my life so much easier
Thanks man. Opened my understanding!
Thank You! I had to listen to this a few times to get it, but now I do!
So with the Uber example you gave, is each piece basically a micro-service?
Ahhhhhhh, thank you!!!!
I now understand, especially when you integrated the UI example.
Simple, elegant and informative. Love it, thanks mate 👌🏻
Amazing Video! Thank you for using the puzzle pieces for the tangible reference. That is exactly where I was getting lost.
you just made me understand everything about API's in less than 5min
I'm only a minute in so far. Dude, excellent breakdown of the topic. That helped so much already
Thank you for this! Needed it dumped almost all the way down for my purposes. Excellent content
I am sold for your program that was an amazing api explanation!! Thanx
Simply beautiful. Thanks Aaron. Love it. This is the best of the best video for API concept. Thanks again.
Thank you!
Long story short, from a very scientific perspective an API is the abstraction layer/s that abstract/s off operating system calls. Abstraction can be data abstraction or behavioral abstraction or a mix of both. Abstraction is the same word as "Interface". I noticed a lot of people have already abused the API definition by resembling it as a request/respose tag, NOOOOO, the API is much a bigger thing, it's a crucial part of detailed-design following the architectural design. By providing proper abstractions, you can even build cross-platform applications on the top of APIs that abstract off platform calls into platform-specific channels.... THAT's way bigger than the naive explanation of a request/response thing!!
EDIT:
Btw, everything we use nowadays is an API, your OpenJDK, your OS libraries are APIs for the OS Kernel, OpenGL and Vulkan have APIs built for their specifications, Game Engines have APIs built on top of Graphics/Sound Engine/OS libraries, and tons and tons of code are APIs.........
Very well done Aaron. Thanks..
Thank you, for sharing. I get a better general idea than before.
Thank you for this video this was excellent. Clear and right to the point with illuminating illustrations and examples 😊
Thanks bro, this vid was better than the others i watched keep it up
You are.... amazing at simplification!!!
Phenomenal video, thanks for breaking it down
You great man! Summarized in a few minutes. Subscribed to get more useful information!
Well said. I understood this completely . . . finally.
I usually don't comment, but this was great! A little too fast paced verbally, but overall amazing :)
Seriously amazing 👏😍🙌Keep sharing ❤
API Simplified....You said this would be yhe only video i would need and yessss it is.
Very concise. Thank you.
This video was great! Thank you so much!
Finally! A video that does the job.
Excellent