Data APIs

APIs that retrieve data from various sources.

Data APIs

About Data APIs

All application programming interfaces (APIs) deal with data in some way. APIs allow developers to integrate applications and databases for quick and secure exchange of information. Even if a person has never heard of an API, anyone who uses a smartphone, computer, or any other form of technology likely interacts with APIs daily, whether they are aware of it or not.

What is a Data API?

When one refers to a data API, they refer to any interface that allows for the secure flow of information. It is an all-encompassing umbrella term that can be applied to pretty much any API in use today, as in the simplest form, an API provides the transfer of data of all types. Even if the API is a service type, such as a hungry consumer looking for a great new restaurant to try in their area, the application is still returning data - in this case - a listing of restaurants.

How does a Data API work?

APIs connect applications to databases and return the information in an easy-to-understand format to the end-user. For instance, when you want to look up what the weather will be like for the week in your area, you tap an icon on your phone. When you enter the location, the weather application connects to the service provider’s server and database. Through the API, the information you want is then returned and displayed on your device.

One of the most common API builds is representational state transfer (REST), which delivers data through the lightweight JSON protocol. As it is dependable, fast, and easily scalable, most public APIs utilize this protocol.

Other standard formats are Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), XML-RPC, and JSON-RPC.

Who can benefit from Data APIs?

Everyone that requires access to any information utilizing technology can benefit from data APIs. From simple Google searches about your favorite actor to researching complex data in preparation for your Ph.D., planning your next vacation, to looking up movie times, data APIs are in the background, seamlessly providing the information you need through your chosen application.

Why are Data APIs necessary?

The world runs on data. Without APIs providing the invisible network connecting servers and databases to the application on our devices, accessing this information would be all but impossible.

As you can see by the examples below, data APIs can help you find any information you could ever need.

What can you expect from a Data API?

Any API should provide an accurate and seamless transfer of data without sacrificing security on either endpoint.

Are there examples of free Data APIs?

  1. COVID-19 Data
  2. Rent Estimate
  3. World Population
  4. Google Search
  5. Instagram
  6. Movies/TV Shows Database (IMDB)
  7. Stock Market Data
  8. RAWG Video Games Database
  9. Currency Exchange
  10. Yummly
  11. Weather

Data API SDKs

All Data APIs are supported and made available in multiple developer programming languages and SDKs including:

  1. Node.js
  2. PHP
  3. Python
  4. Ruby
  5. Objective-C
  6. Java (Android)
  7. C# (.NET)
  8. cURL

Just select your preference from any API endpoints page.

Sign up today for free on RapidAPI to begin using Data APIs!