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Last Updated on April 1, 2022 by Editor Futurescope
An API – Application Programming Interface – makes life easier for developers. Whether a website or an app, using APIs makes the development process more efficient. That’s one of the reasons why API usage is so popular these days. Besides, APIs also enable developers to save costs and time. Thus, they spend a chunk of the development process finding and integrating APIs that will add to the product’s functionality.
Among all the APIs out there, the ones that provide hourly forecasts on weather conditions are very popular. A weather API can use current and historical weather data to provide forecasts. You can integrate these APIs into different websites and make them work at different angles in favor of those sites. We’ll get to those details a bit later. For now, let’s take a look at how weather APIs work.
How Weather APIs Work
A weather API for forecast and weather data retrieval works the same way as most other APIs. You will receive an API key and use it along with a block of code to integrate the API into your website.
The API documentation will help you through the integration and working process. However, we can narrow the entire process down to the following points.
- Weather data is on a different server. The API merely fetches that data and presents the information to the end-user.
- The API code block creates only a visual on the client website. Most of the functionalities are on the API’s server.
- Users can request the API for data or services. The API will then analyze the request, verify it, and work out ways to fetch the data or service.
- APIs won’t work if there’s a problem with the API servers. APIs will also stop working if they find an invalid API key or unauthorized access attempts.
Why Do Developers Use APIs
Developers use APIs for different reasons. However, we can break them down into the following four points.
Saves Time
APIs are programs that anyone can use at any time. Developers have already tried and tested these programs and made sure they have no bugs. So, other developers can take advantage of this. By integrating an API in their website or app, they don’t have to add that functionality on their own. Therefore, they don’t need to spend extra time coding that particular part.
More Efficient
With APIs, websites can run more efficiently. A lot of what the API does is being handled at a different server than yours. So, you are saving time by not building the program and saving space on your server. In a way, that’s an efficient approach to utilizing your server memory and processing capabilities.
Saves Cost
Since you’re not having to write extra lines of code or provide extra space on your server, you can save costs. That’s why developers are always looking for ways to utilize APIs in their projects.
Where to Use Weather APIs
You can use weather APIs wherever you want. However, you need to be practical with your approach. It’s not just about adding functionality. It’s about creating it wherever it’s needed. So, where can you integrate weather APIs? Let’s look into it.
News Websites
News websites have frequent visits from all types of people. People visit these sites for local news, news on local and international politics, sports, entertainment, and much more. A weather API will fit in just fine here. People won’t mind taking a quick peek at the weather while catching up on the latest news.
Logistics Websites
Logistics websites have vehicle tracking systems nowadays. You can track your parcel or cargo wherever it is. Using a weather API here will enable users to see what type of weather conditions their cargo has to go through. Based on that, they can estimate whether or not there will be any delays in the delivery.
Environment Websites
These websites cater to the curiosity of people who are cautious about the environment. Since weather updates also include pollen and AQI – Air Quality Index – information, a weather API on such sites won’t be bad either.
Apart from all these websites and platforms, you can also integrate weather APIs in other places. It eventually comes down to how you want your users to use the API you integrate. However, don’t get too creative or carried away. Identify the need before you add the functionality.
