Introduction to APIs
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules that allows one software system to request data or actions from another system in a structured and predictable way.
APIs are one of the most overcomplicated topics in automation. Documentation often jumps straight into diagrams and technical language, which does not help when your goal is simply to build something practical in Make.
In simple terms, an API is a standard way for two software tools to communicate and exchange data. You see APIs in action whenever:
- a CRM sends data into an email platform;
- Make pulls weather, payment, company, or social data;
- a tool says we integrate with X.
In most cases, that simply means the tool connects to another service's API.
A helpful mental shortcut is this: An API is a menu of actions and data a service allows you to access, plus strict rules for how you request them.
The main address of the API.
Example idea:
api.example.com/v1
The specific resource or action you want to access. Examples:
/weather/contacts/invoices
Combined with the base URL, this forms a complete request address.
Defines what action you want to perform.
The most common methods in Make:
- GET retrieves data
- POST creates or submits data
In most automation workflows, GET is used most often.
Extra details that define your request.
Example idea: A weather API may require a city name or coordinates. These are often passed as query values.
Metadata about the request.
This is commonly where authentication lives, such as an API key or access token.
When creating or updating data, you usually send a JSON body.
APIs are not complicated because they are advanced. They feel complicated because they are strict.
Once you understand the structure, base URL, endpoint, method, parameters, headers, and body, API workflows stop feeling like guesswork and start feeling predictable and controllable.
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An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules that allows one software system to request data or actions from another system in a structured and predictable way.
APIs are one of the most overcomplicated topics in automation. Documentation often jumps straight into diagrams and technical language, which does not help when your goal is simply to build something practical in Make.
In simple terms, an API is a standard way for two software tools to communicate and exchange data. You see APIs in action whenever:
- a CRM sends data into an email platform;
- Make pulls weather, payment, company, or social data;
- a tool says we integrate with X.
In most cases, that simply means the tool connects to another service's API.
A helpful mental shortcut is this: An API is a menu of actions and data a service allows you to access, plus strict rules for how you request them.
The main address of the API.
Example idea:
api.example.com/v1
The specific resource or action you want to access. Examples:
/weather/contacts/invoices
Combined with the base URL, this forms a complete request address.
Defines what action you want to perform.
The most common methods in Make:
- GET retrieves data
- POST creates or submits data
In most automation workflows, GET is used most often.
Extra details that define your request.
Example idea: A weather API may require a city name or coordinates. These are often passed as query values.
Metadata about the request.
This is commonly where authentication lives, such as an API key or access token.
When creating or updating data, you usually send a JSON body.
APIs are not complicated because they are advanced. They feel complicated because they are strict.
Once you understand the structure, base URL, endpoint, method, parameters, headers, and body, API workflows stop feeling like guesswork and start feeling predictable and controllable.
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