api

Application Programming Interface (API) according to internet search engines, is an interface implemented by a software program to enable interaction with other software, much in the same way that a user interface facilitates interaction between humans and computers.
APIs are implemented by applications, libraries and operating systems to determine the vocabulary and calling conventions the programmer should employ to use their services.
It may include specifications for routines, data structures, object classes and protocols used to communicate between the consumer and implementer of the API.
In creating the Spark (a BlastSuites eCommerce product), we used a lot of APIs to complete the whole process of selling online.
One of these is the API for payment gateway.
Here, we need to have a merchant ID and integrate it with the Checkout Process of our own system.
We just send information (e.g. product name, amount, currency code, order reference number) to the payment gateway's URL and wait for the response if succeeded or failed.
We also used their data feed feature which is a way to determine if the sent message is received, processed, and successfully performed.
To sum it up, APIs of any third party software is a great way to develop a system easily and accurately.