Developer Tooling

Application Programming Interface

An application programming interface defines how software components request operations or exchange data. Web APIs commonly specify endpoints, request formats, authentication, and responses so automation can manage resources without navigating a user interface.

Also known as: API

Why it matters

Documented programmatic operations let automation manage resources consistently.

Practical example

Use a documented runner-management API to update a custom image after testing it.

Related terms

Sources

Definition reviewed .

Start with $10 in free credits

Change the runner label in your workflow and keep the rest of your GitHub Actions setup. Runner time is billed per minute.

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