What is the difference between framework , library , toolkit and api?

Question

While reading Q&As we hear many acroynms and words we still do not know what they are; but we are sure that knowing them are a must for being good developer.

For clearing our minds can we discuss all your knowledge and share the links of libraries, apis and frameworks you use ?

Answer 1

All four of them are diffetent stuff.

Also, while we all agree that unknown, new acronyms can be daunting, it's also highly appreciated that you'll google and try to understand by yourself atleast once.

That way you get your answer much faster, most of the times.

Answer 2

I already read some documents and it is very easy to get confused ; some sites calling libraries and frameworks are close to each other(but not same) and while libraries are very similiar to apis and so on. every site which gives info is giving too much details to confuse me with acroynms.

any simple explanition ???