In brief: An API is an agreed interface through which software systems exchange requests and data. Its documentation defines operations, inputs, outputs, authentication and limits.
How I use an API in practice
I separate an API prototype from a production process. A prototype verifies usefulness; production needs permissions, limits, monitoring and a fallback. I do not treat an output as fact merely because it sounds convincing, and I trace important claims to the original source.
What to watch
The greatest risk is automating an unclear process. The API then produces inconsistent output faster and makes errors harder to trace. Watch sensitive data, unknown service conditions and decisions that cannot easily be reversed.
Questions for decisions
- Which narrow task should the technology improve?
- What data may be used and who checks the output?
- How will we measure accuracy and cost on real cases?
- How do we stop or reverse the process after an error?