Think of an application like Instagram – it contains billions of pictures uploaded by millions of users around the world. Suppose that you want to build an app that displays a slideshow of certain pictures (i.e. with a hashtag #scenery.) You’ll need to somehow get all of this data.
Instagram could make this data available to the public in an official format. For example, if you call the method ‘get photos hashtag scenery’ it will give you all the pictures with a hashtag #scenery. Instagram can have hundreds of other methods to call, such as ‘get all the photos for this user’ or ‘get all the photos taken in Hong Kong’. You can build your slideshow app by simply calling those methods.
The collection of methods is known as an API (application programming interface). An API is the language two applications use to talk to each other. Without knowing the proper language Instagram uses, you wouldn’t be able to get those images. You are programming an application and this is the interface that you will adhere to when talking to Instagram. Simply put, you would need to speak the language the other app speaks in order for information to be delivered or exchanged.
APIs are important for businesses as they allow developers to create tools that facilitate better organization, enhance strategies, and increase revenues. PassKit’s API is the most comprehensive set of methods and tools that serve as the client interface to the PassKit web service. From template and pass methods, to image and authentication capabilities, you are able to fully integrate PassKit’s solution into your system. Visit https://app.passkit.com/http://passkit.com/documentation/ to get started. If you have any questions about our API and methods, let us know.
