What does the acronym 'API' stand for?

The acronym 'API' stands for Application Programming Interface. An API is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. It defines the methods and data formats that applications can use to request and exchange information, enabling developers to build functionalities without needing to understand the underlying code. APIs are fundamental in enabling integration between different systems and services, facilitating access to functionality or data while abstracting the complexities of implementation.

In contrast to the other options, which do not accurately capture the widely accepted meaning of API in the context of software development, the term "Application Programming Interface" encapsulates the essential characteristics of APIs as interfaces that facilitate interaction between applications through well-defined programming standards.