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API vs. SDK explained in restaurant terms
- theamk 6y agoI think the meaning of "API" vs "SDK" changed in the networked world, and this article uses older, more traditional definitions. Today, for network-based services, I'd say: API describes, usually to humans, how to talk to something. It does not depend on specific programming languages. Example: AWS S3 API [0] talk about HTTP requests. SDK is a library for computers which allows talking to service. SDKs are created for specific programming language, and SDK for each language is often slightly different. Example: AWS S3 SDK for Javascript [1] lists Javascript methods. In restaurant terms, S3 API would be a take-out menu -- and it is up to you to find a phone, call the restaurant with an order, and pick up the meal. And S3 SDK would be a restaurant waiter -- they'll take your order and bring back the meal right to your table. [0] https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonS3/latest/API/API_Operations.html https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonS3/latest/API/API_Operatio... [1] https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSJavaScriptSDK/latest/AWS/S3.html https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSJavaScriptSDK/latest/AWS/S3.h...
- alexander_kir 6y agoThank you so much for a detailed feedback! I love this community for it!