Unit 6: Advanced Features & Testing
What is an API?
An **API**, or **Application Programming Interface**, is like a waiter in a restaurant. You (the client) don’t go into the kitchen to get your food. Instead, you tell the waiter (the API) what you want, and they go get it for you. An API allows different applications to talk to each other and share data.
By using an API, your app can get information from other services on the internet, like weather data, news articles, or even fun facts, without having to build that functionality yourself.
Making an API Call
When you want to get data from an API, you make a request to its specific URL, just like you would type a web address into your browser. The API responds with data, usually in a format called **JSON** (JavaScript Object Notation), which your app can then easily read and use.
This process is called an **API call** and it’s how modern apps get dynamic, real-time information.
Interactive Activity: Fetch a Cat Fact!
Click the button below to fetch a random cat fact from a public API. This simulates how your app could get information from an external source.
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge
Answer these questions to see how well you understand APIs.
Your Mission
Think about your project idea. What kind of external data could make it more powerful? Could you use a weather API, a news API, or a database of facts? How would that data improve your app for users?
