# Data tools and techniques

**Source**: https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/data_tools/api
**Parent**: https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/data_tools/AI

An **application programming interface** (**API**) is a connection between [computers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer "Computer") or between [computer programs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_program "Computer program"). It is a type of software [interface](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interface_(computing) "Interface (computing)"), offering a service to other pieces of [software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software "Software").[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/API#cite_note-1) A document or standard that describes how to build or use such a connection or interface is called an *API specification*. A computer system that meets this standard is said to *implement* or *expose* an API. The term API may refer either to the specification or to the implementation.