One way of identifying them is to say that APIs or Application Programming Interfaces are modules of code that are inserted into applications being developed to complete certain functionality. These modules of code are pre-written by other companies and vendors and can be easily embedded in custom software applications. These embedded APIs enable the application being written to communicate with other applications or with elements of code that deliver certain specific functionality. They often use server-side or cloud-based functionality to gather information and deliver the same to client-side endpoints. APIs also add functionality that involves various individual and discrete software programs to facilitate communication.

Talks of security vulnerabilities, such as ransomware, social engineering, SQL injections, breaches, hacking, etc., are on the rise. As these attacks become sophisticated, identifying these easily is becoming increasingly difficult.  In a software-defined world, there is no place for applications and systems that perform poorly or are open to vulnerabilities. Therefore, removing the weak links from applications and systems is a cybersecurity priority, especially as  hybrid work, remote work and geographically displaced teams further dilute the enterprises' security perimeter.

In recent times, low-code and no-code platforms have revolutionized application development. Lately, we find even business users utilizing low-code development tools to build business applications to suit some of their specific needs. Low-code development has emerged as an effective way of transforming business "ideas" into actual applications. Along with predefined libraries, low-code tools provide user-friendly interfaces with drag-and-drop functionality. This visual development tool is suited for use by any business user.