API vs SDK
LTAI: (Let’s talk about it)
There are many overlaps between API (Application Program Interface) and SDK (Software Development Kits) but both have different roles in software development.
It can be overwhelming to figure which to use when. It’s especially confusing because more often than not, an SDK contains API. It’s important to know the differences between the two in order to use them at the right time of development.
API
API stands for Application Program Interface. API is the engine under the hood. API allows us to interact with external services using simple commands. API allows us to add specific functionalities to our application.
In simple language, API is the messenger that takes requests, tells a system what you want to do, and then returns the response back to you.
Imagine that you are at a restaurant and you want to order food. You will look at a menu and then tell the waiter what you want to eat. The waiter is responsible for getting your order, telling the chef your order, then bringing your food to you. The waiter is the API.
Let’s take the shopping app Etsy as a real-life software engineering example of what API is responsible for. If you want to purchase or sell something from Etsy, you need to create an account and pay or receive payments. Etsy could be using one API to authenticate the user and another API to process payment.
API’s help software engineers by preventing us from reinventing the wheel.
SDK
SDK stands for Software Development Kits. SDK is a set of tools, guidelines, and programs used to develop applications for a specific program. SDK is basically like a toolbox that calls an API for you. SDK’s can use one or many APIs, libraries, and other utilities.
Think about putting together IKEA furniture. When putting the furniture together, you need a lof items wood, screws, hammer as well as for instructions. An SDK functions similarly by providing a set of tools, libraries, relevant documentation, code samples.
Companies make SDK’s available to developers in order for the developer to integrate with their services much easier.
In some situations, it’s critical to use an SDK. If you want to develop an iOS application, you need the iOS SDK.
Differences
Do you like analogies? I definitely do. Let’s explain the differences between API and SDK in an analogy we can all understand.
SDK represents the entire house: all of the rooms, furniture, telephone lines, and other components. An API represents just the telephone lines that allow communication in and out of the house.
Simply put, SDK is a house, and all contents and API’s are the telephone lines. A house needs telephone lines to communicate in and out and one house can have multiple telephone lines. A telephone line doesn’t need a house.
In coding language, if an SDK is used for the application, it includes an API but if API is used for communication, it doesn’t include SDK.
SDK is a kit that includes instructions that allow developers to create systems and API is purpose build for express use.
