What is the WordPress API key?
We examine the WordPress API key and its use in WordPress sites to interact with templates and plugins in this article from the Keyupseo blog.
We have seen many times that we need an API Key or API Code to launch a WordPress plugin, but we never talked about its usefulness.
You will find out what the API does on WordPress and what it is useful for and what it is and what structure it consists of.
Knowing this is one of the things that is necessary as a website owner, and if you are looking to grow your site's position, you must be familiar with this issue.
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In the first step, we will examine together what the API is and where it comes from, and then we will go to the WordPress API and examine its integration.
What is an API?
In fact, API stands for Application programming interface, which means application programming interface or software programming interface.
Of course, this interface is the same level and is available at the programming level. In web or computer programming, an API is set to define subroutines, protocols, and tools for building software and applications.
An API can simplify the development of an application by providing its structure as much as possible.
API can be used for web based system, operating system, database, computer hardware and computer software.
So far, we have made a general definition of the API and the function it performs in general and generally, but now we need to see what is the WordPress API?
WordPress API
WordPress API means exactly the same as API on WordPress. That is, it is a WordPress software programming interface that can be divided into several sections with separate topics.
It covers each part of the functions and divides it into a set of capabilities. It works for every part of WordPress. It also contributes to the security issue because it prevents security problems for the website and the plugin.
For example, suppose we install a plugin and this plugin requests us to connect to a reference website for its functionality to be activated! This connection is made possible by finding the WordPress API on the reference website and placing it in the appropriate place on the WordPress site.
Example of WordPress API in WordPress plugins
To connect to newsletters such as Mailchimp, Mailerlite, etc., which are a newsletter sending system, you must get the WordPress API from their website and put it in the corresponding plugin settings:
In this way, the desired systems can be connected to WordPress.
What is a REST API?
You must have heard the two words REST and API together. This term stands for WordPress REST API and is a set of codes designed to create a connection between other systems with WordPress and built in a way that will make the systems understand each other. Now let's review the REST commands in the WordPress API:
- GET – retrieves a resource such as a post or some other data.
- POST – Adds a resource such as a post, attachment, or other resource to the server.
- PUT – This can be used to edit or update a resource that is already on the server.
- DELETE – Removes a resource from the server. In using this case, complete caution is required.
What is Json?
JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation and is a specific format for data exchange based on the JavaScript language.
Today, using JSON APIs is very common because many programming languages can easily convert their data into JSON structure. Accordingly, the user environment based on this format can be placed between different applications or different programming languages and act as an interpreter.
Using the WordPress API
Connecting API to WordPress is not an extraordinary or new issue. In fact, WordPress has APIs to interact with templates, plugins, etc.
Regarding the use of API on WordPress, it should be said that the existing API works very well for internal WordPress items, but in connection with software outside the WordPress platform, it causes a lot of trouble and has caused a lot of trouble for many programmers, for this reason, we should look for new methods of WordPress API.
What is the main use of API?
An API can simplify the development of an application by providing its structure as much as possible. API can be used for web based system, operating system, database, computer hardware and computer software.
