SDK and API share plenty in common. At their core, both the SDK and the API enable you to enhance the functionality of your application with relative ease, but many people don’t know the difference between SDK and API. This post from MiniTool Partition Wizard shows SDK vs API to you.
What Is SDK
SDK (Software Development Kit) refers to a toolkit provided by a third-party service provider to realize a certain function of a software product, usually containing APIs, code snippets, or other rules for developing software. When typing the code in the editor, it will automatically complete the code and automatically check for errors.
Companies provide their SDKs to developers to help them easily integrate with their services. Thus, developers do not need to develop every function of the product anymore, choose a suitable and stable SDK service and spend little experience to integrate a certain function in the product.
What Is API
API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of protocols and tools used to build application software. It is a set of clearly defined communication methods between various software components. Most companies, especially technology companies, have built APIs for their customers or internal use.
API is divided into open API and private API. Open API is an interface open to everyone, allowing anyone to use it. Open API is like a library. You only need to perform the corresponding identity authentication, and then you can enter and obtain the corresponding books and resources.
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SDK vs API
What is the difference between SDK and API? Scroll down to know more details.
First, the biggest difference between SDK and API is their usage:
- The purpose of API is to provide applications and developers with the ability to access a set of routines based on certain software or hardware without having to access the source code or understand the details of the internal working mechanism.
- SDK is a set of software development tools used by software engineers to build application software for specific platforms or systems, etc. It is like a tool kit provided by a furniture store when you buy a dressing table, allowing you to assemble it by yourself.
The second is their composition. SDK is a collection of many methods. In fact, it is a toolkit. API is some pre-defined functions, and its role has been clarified.
Besides, in addition to providing a complete interface, SDK also provides a related development environment, while the environment required by the API must be provided by the user.
To help you better understand, give you an example:
If you want to drive to a place, the car is the SDK which allows you to complete the purpose of reaching the destination. However, the steering wheel, lights, engine, accelerator, and brake on the car are the APIs. When you use the SDK (the car), in fact, you use the functions of these APIs. If the car (SDK) is more intimate, it may have instructions (SDK documentation) for use.
That’s all about SDK vs API. Can you distinguish them? If you have any questions about this topic, please leave them in the comment zone and we will try to answer them as soon as possible.
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