What does API stand for?

Application Programming Interface, or API, is a set of rules and protocols for building and interacting with software applications. It defines the methods and data formats that applications can use to communicate with each other. APIs are essential for enabling different systems to work together, allowing developers to integrate functionalities from other services into their applications without having to understand the complexities of those services.

In the context of software development, an API serves as an intermediary that enables different software programs to communicate. For example, when a developer wants to pull data from a web service, they can use that service's API to request the data in a standardized way. This greatly facilitates the process of developing software, as it allows for modular design and efficient reuse of existing code.

The other options do not accurately define the commonly accepted term in the field of software development. They either misrepresent the concept or incorrectly specify the words making up the acronym. This clarity and specificity in the definition of API help underscore its significance in modern software development practices.