API data is data that is accessed by applications through an API. An API, or application programming interface, is a set of programming instructions and standards for accessing a web-based software application.
The API layer allows different software systems to interact without human intervention. It also allows developers to create new integrations and automation using the data exposed by the API.
API data can come in many forms, but most often, it takes the form of JSON or XML. JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight format often used to transmit data between web servers and browsers. XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a more verbose format often used for transmitting data between different software systems.
API data can be accessed on a developer platform by anyone who has the proper credentials and knows the URL of the API endpoint. However, most API providers also offer some form of documentation that describes how to use their API.
Documentation for an API typically includes a list of all available API endpoints and some example requests and responses. Some API providers also offer SDKs (software development kits), which are libraries that make it easier to interact with their API.