# What is an API?

Official page: https://aitje.com/en/knowledge/wat-is-een-api

> An API is an agreed method by which systems exchange data or functions with one another. It is the interface that allows software to communicate with other software without the need for manual copying and pasting.

### In brief

API stands for Application Programming Interface. It is an interface that enables software to communicate with other software in a fixed, structured manner. This allows systems to securely retrieve or send information, or carry out actions.

### What does an API actually do?

Via an API, a website can retrieve customer data, call up an AI model, send documents or write information back to a CRM, ERP or other system. The user often does not notice this immediately, but behind the scenes it is a crucial connecting layer.

### API versus manual work

Without APIs, people often have to retype data, export it or carry out individual steps manually. With an API, systems can do that work automatically and more consistently. This saves time and reduces the risk of errors, provided the integration is set up correctly.

### What should you bear in mind?

Key points include permissions, authentication, error handling, logging, speed limits and documentation. An API may function technically but still be operationally impractical if management, security or monitoring are lacking.

### Why is this relevant to organisations?

Virtually every modern digital environment relies on APIs. If you understand what an API does, you can better assess how systems are linked, where dependencies lie and how flexibly a solution can be expanded in the future.

## Contact

[Contact AITJE](https://aitje.com/en/contact) — contact@aitje.com