Hello! Today, we're embarking on an expedition into the world of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). APIs, much like secret backstage passes, enable the exciting online activities we enjoy, facilitating conversation between different pieces of software. By the end of this lesson, you'll have a firm understanding of API fundamentals, understand URL structures, know how to process API requests, and grasp the concept of JSON. We'll also delve into the notion of 'asynchronous,' particularly in the context of API calls.

APIs are like menu cards at a restaurant. They present a list of operations or data that we can request from the software 'kitchen'. APIs let us make programs that use other software's functionalities or data to create something new.

For instance, have you ever used an online tool to check the weather? That tool is most likely using a weather API to fetch real-time data about weather conditions from a weather service. The tool (or client) sends a request to the weather API (or server), and the server responds by sending back the requested data. This way, the tool can provide you with the latest weather updates without having to collect and store that data on its own. Super helpful, isn't it?

APIs are typically accessed via URLs (Uniform Resource Locators), also known as web addresses. A URL is a structured string of information that initializes a specific online resource when entered into a web browser.

To understand the anatomy of a URL, let's break down this URL as an example: https://www.example.com/products. A URL consists of various components, including:

• https:// - The protocol, which lays out the set of rules for how data is transmitted and received over the internet.