← Back to Glossary

API (Application Programming Interface)

Also known as: REST API, API Endpoint

In one sentence

A way for different software programs to talk to each other—like a menu of requests you can make to get AI to do something.

Explain like I'm 12

Like a drive-through menu for computers—you send a request for what you want, and the API delivers it back to you.

In context

OpenAI's API lets you send text and get AI-generated responses. You make an HTTP request with your prompt and API key, and receive the completion.

See also

Tool (Function Calling)

Related Guides

Learn more about API (Application Programming Interface) in these guides:

Prompting 201: Structured Prompts & JSON Output

Advanced prompting: structured formats, JSON output, few-shot learning, chain-of-thought, and prompt templates for production.