This blog post will talk about what they are, how they work, and what some popular ones offer.
What is an API?
An application programming interface (API) is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. An API specifies how computer programs can interact with each other and share data. The most common form of the term “API” refers to an interface that allows two computer programs to communicate.
Stock APIs are a great way to get real-time stock information and historical data for stocks and indices. For example, most of these stock API allow you to query for a list of all the stocks in a given market and detailed information on a specific stock. They also can get notified when certain stocks hit a particular price or go above or below a moving average.
How do they work?
API calls are generally made by sending a request to an API endpoint, which is then handled by the API server. The server will either return data in a predefined format or redirect the user to another page where they can find the information they’re looking for. In some cases, developers will need to ask permission to use the API. This is often done via a key, which you can think of like an electronic padlock that holds all your data in place and ensures no one else has access to it but you.
What do they offer?
An API provides developers with programmatic (or automated) access to information stored on their servers. This can include anything from stock prices and company data to the latest tweets from a specific Twitter account. Most APIs also allow developers to submit data back to the server, which can then be used by the original application or shared with other developers.
Several popular APIs are out there, including Google Finance and Yahoo! Finance, which offer stock data across multiple exchanges in different countries. Other options include Quantopian, Alpha Vantage, and Quandl. There’s also S&P Capital IQ, a company that provides financial market content for professional investors such as hedge funds, investment banks, and investment managers.
In conclusion, APIs are a great way to get real-time stock information and historical data for stocks, indices, or commodities. Most of these APIs allow you to query for a list of all the stocks in a given market and detailed information on specific ones such as ticker symbol, name, description with links to more details regarding any news associated with the stock.