Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

APIs Introducing Gradle

Stefan Spinu
Stefan Spinu
1,573 Points
Posted by Stefan Spinu
Stefan Spinu
1,573 Points

What is an API?

COURSE: Dependency Management with Gradle VIDEO: Introducing Gradle

at 06:15 - in the file build.grade he says that those are methods sitting on the API. What is the API in this context? Can someone give me an example of an API? I understood is a sort of a middle man that facilitates the communication between two parts, but I cannot figure it out in code.

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
230,970 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
230,970 Points

An application program interface (API) is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. So when he says "methods sitting on the API" it's essentially "routines that you can use that are provided by this software package".

Just a bit later in the video he suggests looking into the reference documentation (using the links in the teacher's notes) if you want to know more,.