What is an API? What is it used for?

Among the different virtual classes made available by the Platform Resource Center, two are dedicated to the concept of APIs.

An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules and tools that let different applications or systems communicate. It acts as a bridge, allowing one program to access another's services or data without needing to understand its inner workings.

In Recherche Data Gouv, APIs facilitate access, management, and use of research data. The repository offers several APIs that allow you to:

• Search for datasets,
• Manage collections and datasets,
• Upload and download files,
• Track usage statistics.

Thanks to APIs, researchers and developers can automate data access and optimize their workflows. A sandbox environment is available to test queries before deployment.

To learn more, we invite you to follow the virtual classes or consult the materials on API discovery and API usage.

To go further and practice, you can consult the API guide on Dataverse.