web services

8th April 2021

API vs Web Service: What’s the Difference?

A web service and an API are two very similar concepts, so it can be difficult to understand the similarities and differences. Terminology Definition Before we get started further explaining web services and APIs, we first need to define a few other terms: XML [eXtensible Markup Language] is a standardized format for storing and sending data. Similar to HTML, XML stores data by wrapping it in descriptive tags. JSON [JavaScript Object Notation] is similar to XML in that it also stores and enables you to send data in a standardized format. JSON just uses a different, object-based, methodology for systematically storing data. HTTP [HyperText Transfer Protocol] is the foundation of transferring data and […]