What is the difference between web APIs and software libraries?

What is the difference between web APIs and software libraries?

Web APIs are interfaces for web services that allow different applications to communicate over the internet, while software libraries are collections of pre-written code that developers can use to perform common tasks within their own applications.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! An example of a web API is the Twitter API, which allows developers to interact with Twitter's features. An example of a software library is jQuery, which simplifies HTML document traversing and event handling.

When should I use a web API instead of a software library?

You should use a web API when you need to access external services or data over the internet. Use a software library when you want to enhance your application's functionality without needing to connect to an external service.

Are there any performance differences between the two?

Yes, web APIs can introduce latency due to network calls, while software libraries typically run locally and can be faster since they don't require internet access.