What exactly is an API?

Question

As far as I know, an API is sort of a library or package, it simplifies the acess to features of a software. Is that correct? Besides that, how do I acess one (no specific language)?

Answer 1

I find that your definition is accurate.

By the way, there has been quite a number of discussions focused on simplifying and providing a beginner-friendly definition of API. I suggest reading these threads, especially the example provided by Pao in the first link.

https://www.sololearn.com/discuss/301381/?ref=app
https://www.sololearn.com/discuss/1027271/?ref=app
https://www.sololearn.com/discuss/1242015/?ref=app
https://www.sololearn.com/discuss/1911731/?ref=app

Answer 2

API are used by sites which maybe private or public

The private ones are used by the Api owners while the public ones are public for peoples use in order to get some information from the API owners.

Most sites have API
Like api.github.com