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The API is a powerful and versatile means to connect diverse and disparate software applications. APIs allow a vast array of unrelated software products to integrate and interoperate with other software and data. APIs also allow developers to add features and functionality to software by utilizing a rich array of other developers’ APIs.APIs are not all equal, however. Developers can work with an assortment of API types, protocols, and architectures that suit the unique needs of different applications and businesses.

Four types of web APIs

APIs are broadly accepted and used in web applications. There are four principal types of API commonly used in web-based applications: public, partner, private and composite. In this context, the API “type” indicates the intended scope of use.

Public APIs. A public API is open and available for use by any outside developer or business. An enterprise that cultivates a business strategy that involves sharing its applications and data with other businesses will develop and offer a public API.

Partner APIs. A partner API, only available to specifically selected and authorized outside developers or API consumers, is a means to facilitate business-to-business activities. For example, if a business wants to selectively share its customer data with outside CRM firms, a partner API can connect the internal customer data system with those external parties — no other API use is permitted.

Partners have clear rights and licenses to access such APIs. For this reason, partner APIs generally incorporate stronger authentication, authorization, and security mechanisms. Enterprises also typically do not monetize such APIs directly; partners are paid for their services rather than through API use.

Internal APIs. An internal (or private) API is intended only for use within the enterprise to connect systems and data within the business. For example, an internal API may

connect an organization’s payroll and HR systems. Internal APIs traditionally present weak security and authentication — or none at all — because the APIs are intended for internal use, and such security levels are assumed to be in place through other policies. This is changing, however, as greater threat awareness and regulatory compliance demand increasingly influence an organization’s API strategy.

Composite APIs. Composite APIs generally combine two or more APIs to craft a sequence of related or interdependent operations. Composite APIs can be beneficial to address complex or tightly-related API behaviors, and can sometimes improve speed and performance over individual APIs.