The digital world is constantly changing, not only because of the new technologies but also because of the means of communication that always reinvent themselves. As the market moves toward a predominantly digital future, companies invest billions every year to keep up with this process.
To develop good products, it is necessary a qualified team and, above all, good software to meet the demands imposed by the digital universe. As such, it is necessary to keep up to date and be on top of acronyms and nomenclatures that appear every so often on the meeting tables and in the market as a whole.
Two typical examples are the acronyms API and SDK which are included in niche markets linked to technology, IT and computing. So that these professionals do not make mistakes and to increase their efficiency it is indicated that they are aware of this system of words, techniques and actions.
What is API?
The expression stands for Application Programming Interface. It sounds very complicated, but the API is a set of libraries (with codes, functions, and methods) that gives the possibility of interfacing between different applications or software.
It is used for performing tasks when integrating a type of computer system into other devices through standards and protocols. This makes it possible for them to operate on an application or hardware.
How do developers use the API?
With a large set of features, the developer can implement and combine the integration and operation required for at least two software. That way, they can create new applications and software. Like an app that through the access of the phone camera can turn an image into a caricature or even a product that can identify faces and fingerprints.
With the increased use of cloud storage and computing, the use of APIs has gained even more strength in the technological environment.
Some examples of APIs are: Slack, Webdam, Twilio, RingCentral, among others.
What is SDK?
The Software Development Kit is a set of pre-written code aligned with development features used by developers to build applications from a platform. They directly contribute to reducing the effort and time of these professionals, who would have to create the codes from scratch.
Through an Integrated Development Environment, the system has:
- Code Editor
- Visual editor (screen structuring, monitoring and solutions)
- Compiler (app creation)
They can include a specific type of hardware and also demos and tutorials for their implementation.
Why do people confuse API and SDK features?
This is because the SDK can use APIs when integrated into applications, that is, while the API provides a series of code with functionality to be used in application communication, the SDK provides an integrated development environment.
In this sense, in an SDK you can have multiple APIs, but an API cannot contain an SDK.
In other words, the API is represented by communication between applications and features, and the SDK is a pre-established resource kit that can be developed for creating a software product.
Imagine that between the parts of a motorcycle the SDK would represent the wheels, exhaust, starter, pedal, etc. while the API is represented by the transmission between the engine and the exhaust, for example.
Comparison table between API and SDK
API and SDK in practice with BioPass ID
Obviously, since we are talking about technological and "invisible" components, we can show in a practical and efficient way how these two features work.
The BioPass ID API focuses on fingerprints and facial recognition, capture, ABIS, among other varieties of applications, through its cutting-edge technology and counting on a package of biometric features to qualify, verify, identify and enroll users.
Opening a range of possibilities through artificial intelligence, with its rapid implementation to any device.
Meanwhile, the SDK has a component model ready to facilitate the integration associated with low code, available for desktop and mobile devices. Whether for face capture, fingerprints, or signature.
It is possible to perform tests through the demos and also the DevCenter.
