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API and Web service function as communication mediums. The sole difference between API and Web service is that Web service facilitates interaction between two machines over a network. API acts as an interface between two different applications to enable communication between them.
API is a method that third-party providers use to write programs with an easily communicable interface to other programs. Web service is designed to have an interface described in a format that computers can process, usually specified in Web Service Description Language (WSDL).
Usually, 'HTTP' stands out as the most widely used protocol in communication. Web services utilize 3 main standards: SOAP, REST, and XML-RPC to serve as communication mediums. API can employ any communication medium to initiate interactions between applications. For example, system calls are made by interrupting Linux kernel APIs.
API precisely defines methods for a software program to interact with other programs. When this action involves sending data over the network, Web service comes into play. Generally, an API encompasses “calling” functions within a software program.
In the scenario of web applications, APIs are utilized based on the web. Computer applications such as spreadsheets and Word documents utilize VBA and COM-based APIs unrelated to Web service. A server application like Joomla may utilize a PHP-based API present on the server without necessitating Web service.
Web service is merely an API encapsulated within HTTP. APIs do not always need to be web-based. An API comprises a set of rules and complete technical specifications of a software program to facilitate interactions. A Web service may not encompass all technical specifications and sometimes cannot perform all tasks that a complete API can.
APIs can be accessed in various ways, including: COM, DLL files, and .H files in the C/C++ programming language, JAR or RMI files in Java, XML over HTTP, JSON over HTTP, …. The method Web service employs to expose APIs is entirely through the network.
In summary, the difference between API and Web Service is:
1. All Web services are APIs, but not all APIs are Web services.
2. Web services cannot perform all operations that APIs can.
3. A Web service utilizes 3 primary standards: SOAP, REST, and XML-RPC in communication, whereas API can employ any standard for communication.
4. A Web service always requires a network to function, whereas API does not.
5. API enables direct linking with an application, whereas Web service does not.
From this article, you can gain a deeper understanding of the content that APIs and Web Services bring, as well as delineate the differences between API and Web Service to shape which type of service you need to use, applying it to your website.
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