Techtalks: Traveltech

What is the difference between API and SDK?

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anonymous

asked  Jun 24, 2021

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1answer
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Boryslava Omelchenko, Copywriter at AltexSoft

answered  Jun 29, 2021

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Thank you for your question.

To start with, APIs and SDKs are both involved in the process of software development, but these are different things and their roles are different too.

An API (stands for Application Programming Interface) is a set of clearly defined protocols that allow data exchange between different software programs and components. By the way, you can learn more about APIs in our dedicated article here.

An SDK (stands for Software Development Kit) is a set of pre-made tools and instructions that allow you to build software applications for a specific platform.

Simply put, an SDK helps you build a software program on top of it and with the help of it. An API is a way for programs to talk with each other. The key point is, SDKs may contain APIs as a part of the kit. APIs do not contain SDKs. So, you don’t have to choose between the two.