A Comprehensive Comparison of SDK vs. API

Software Development Kits (SDKs) and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are highly talked-about terms in today’s modern software development landscape. These are two of the most popular options for evolving businesses today. Although they both perform similar tasks, each has its unique benefits and highlights that set them apart.

Do you know how they differ, and which one is the best fit for your business?

Choosing between SDK vs. API is quite a complex decision. If your business requires secure network connections and data protection, SDK is the best way to go. On the other hand, if you rely on software integration and data sharing, APIs may be a better choice.

This may sound simple, but it’s not!

In today’s blog, we will explore the differences between SDK and API in detail to help you discover which one is best for your business. We will delve into their use cases, types, benefits, key differences, and many more.

By the end of this blog, you will surely have a clear understanding of what is an SDK vs. API, and which one will best suit your business needs.

So, let’s start!

What is SDK?

SDK stands for Software Development Kit, which is a set of software development tools. It is used to build applications for specific platforms, such as iOS SDK for iOS app development, Android SDK for Android mobile app development, etc. It aims to simplify and speed up the software application development process which will be compatible with the platform by utilizing its feature-rich capabilities.

Usually, SDK includes some of the following resources:

• Code libraries: These are pre-written sets of codes for a particular programming language or framework that can be imported and used repeatedly.
• Code samples: Providing code examples that demonstrate how to use a particular feature or solve a particular problem.
• Compilers: They translate source code written in a high-level programming language into machine code, in which you will work.
• Debuggers: Assist teams to find and fix errors, bugs, and other issues in their code.
• Documentation: This section provides information and instructions about how to use the SDK, including tutorials, reference guides, and how-to articles.
• Testing and analytical tools: Help developers test, measure, and optimize the performance and user experience of their application using such techniques as load testing, A/B testing, and so forth.

However, API is also included in SDK to relay information and bring seamless interface functionality.

Most Popular SDK Development Tools and Examples

Here are some of the most popular SDKs and their usage:

1. Facebook SDK for socials
2. Google Play In-App Billing for Mobile Commerce
3. Google Mobile Ads SDK for Ad Networks
4. One Signal SDK for communication
5. User Experior for UX optimization.
6. Bootstrap used as CSS framework
7. Microsoft Azure is used as a cloud computing service
8. CleverTap SDK for mobile marketing services

To understand it clearly, let’s take an example in which we want to develop a gaming mobile application and integrate some advanced features, such as playing with online friends, tracking, and social sharing. You could develop them from scratch—but that would consume a great deal of time, effort, and cost.

Meanwhile, the Facebook SDK provider is a robust option that allows players to connect with their Facebook friends, share their progress, and compete. The Facebook SDK leverages seamless implementation of these features to deliver an efficient user experience. The globally known Candy Crush Saga and Spotify are a few popular examples.

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How Does an SDK work?

At its core, SDKs are a collection of software development tools, libraries, and documentations intended to encourage simplicity while developing software for a particular system or platform.

The basic functionality of the SDK is to provide pre-built components to businesses and speed up the development process. As a result, it saves a lot of time and enhances the quality and reliability of the final solution.

Well, the simplicity of SDKs is as valuable as the tools in the kit. If you are worried about how to use an SDK, here are the steps explaining how it works:

Step 1: Purchase, download, and install the SDK for your platform.

Step 2: After installation, integrate it into your project. This involves including the required SDK files in the project and configuring any parameters.

Step 3: Once integrated, the SDK is ready to write code that interacts with the platform. This includes making calls to the SDK's functions, utilizing its libraries, and working with its data structure.

Step4: After programming, you can test the application using the SDK testing tools.

Step5: Finally, the application can be deployed to the target platform using the SDK tools.

SDK Use Cases

SDKs have a wide range of use cases across different industries, from cloud platforms to mobile applications. Let’s explore a few of them:

1. Mobile application development

SDKs allow seamless integration of advanced features, like push notifications, social sharing, and in-app messaging, into the application without having to build it from scratch. It saves a lot of time and effort for developers and ensures an improved user experience across different applications.

2. Cloud platforms

SDKs enable developers to build applications that can leverage cloud services like computing, data storage, and networking. It helps you build applications that can easily access data in a cloud database to enhance their functionality. Further, it allows us to quickly build and deploy scalable applications with minimal infrastructure costs.

3. E-commerce platforms

SDKs can help e-commerce platforms integrate with payment gateways, shipping providers, and all other 3^rd-party services. It can also provide tracking capabilities to help businesses optimize their operations. It ensures seamless transactions and overall good user experience.

SDK Benefits

SDK offers a wide range of benefits, including

Timesaving

With SDKs, businesses can reduce the time and effort required to build a new application or include any exciting, and advanced features. By using pre-built code libraries, it is helpful in speeding up the development process and saving time.

Cost-control

By utilizing the SDK, businesses can avoid the costs associated with developing advanced features from scratch. In addition, SDKs often come with flexible pricing plans that allow you to pay only for what you need.

Flawless integration

SDKs can easily be integrated with other 3^rd party applications and services, which can prove to be helpful for expanding the application’s capabilities and functionalities.

Shorter development cycle

Having pre-built code libraries and tools, developers can quickly and simply add new features, resulting in less time and resources required to develop and deploy any new functionality.

Built-in support and security

Now, there is no need to spend hours finding answers or hire specialists to amplify your team; SDKs provide pre-loaded expertise in the code and the support documentation included.

Types of SDKs

SDKs can be broadly categorized into three types, as mentioned below:

1. Platform SDK

These SDKs are provided by operating system vendors like Microsoft, Apple, Google and Android. They allow businesses to build applications that run on a specific platform or operating system.

2. Web SDK

These SDKs are designed to seamlessly integrate 3^rd-party services into web applications. They provide tools and interfaces that enable developers to access and interact with web-based data and services.

3. Service SDK

These are SDKs provided by organizations that offer services such as cloud computing, machine learning, and analytics. They allow developers to build applications that use the company’s services and leverage its infrastructure.

Now that we understand what an SDK is, let’s take a closer look at how the API works.

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What is API?

API stands for Application Programming Interfaces. It is a set of protocols, tools, and routines used to build software applications. In simple terms, API acts as a messenger between different software applications, allowing them to communicate and share data with each other.

Once a backend engineer at LogiKeep, Adeitan said about APIs:

Whether running as a standalone application or included within an SDK, API programming enables communication between two platforms. An API serves as an agreement between the two parties and not only facilitates the exchange of information on demand but also specifies the way this information is exchanged.

Since certain APIs offer direct access to the interface, the terms "API" and "interface" are occasionally used interchangeably.

To deep-dive, Application programming interface meaning consist of two core resources, including

• Technical documentation: It is a guide explaining how to integrate the API to utilize it effectively and efficiently.
• The interface itself: In the case of a Web API, you can access it directly from a keyword or indirectly from a separate interface (in the case of a REST API).

Most Popular Types of API

Web API

A web-based interface that allows apps to communicate and exchange data over the internet.

SOAP API

A messaging protocol for exchanging structured information in the implementation of web services

Open API

A standard, language-agnostic interface for RESTful APIs, allowing for easier communication between different systems.

JSON-RPC API

A remote procedure call protocol that uses JSON to encode the data exchanged between the client and server

Custom API

An application programming interface specially designed to meet the unique needs of a specific app or business.

How do APIs work

APIs work by allowing different software applications to communicate and exchange data with each other. To understand it clearly, let’s take a look at examples of APIs.

Let’s say you have an application that allows users to search for books and buy them online. To provide this functionality, you need access to a database of book information, including titles, summaries, prices, availability, and authors. Instead of building this database yourself, you can use an API provided by a book data provider, such as Goodreads, Amazon, or Google Books.

From a technical standpoint, here is how the process would work:

1. An application user sends a request to the API endpoint, specifying their search query and any authentication information.
2. The API server at the 3^rd-party provider receives the request and processes it, performing the required search queries on its own database and returning the relevant solution in a standardized format, such as JSON or XML.
3. An application user now receives the response from the API server, parses the data, and provides the solution to the user.

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API Use Cases

APIs build online tools that we all use in our daily lives. Here are three of the many API use cases:

Map APIs

It is commonly used to customize maps on a mobile app or web page.

Telemedicine APIs

They are used for remote healthcare services, enabling patients to connect with healthcare providers.

Weather APIs

They are used to enhance the user experience of search engines, sports apps, and many more.

API Benefits

You can get a lot of advantages of API by accelerating both development and the end-user experience by doing the following:

Simplify integration

Connecting with other systems and applications can be a complex process that takes up a chunk of time and resources. APIs simplify this process by providing a standard interface that makes integration faster and more efficient.

Increase productivity

APIs can help automate daily tasks, such as file transfer and data sharing, freeing up employees to focus on other core operations. As a result, businesses can increase productivity, operational efficiency, and reduce human errors.

Better user experience

APIs can be used to create dynamic and custom applications that provide a better user experience. By leveraging APIs, businesses can offer personalized solutions and meet unique needs of clients.

Faster development

APIs provide pre-built functionality that can be used to accelerate development processes and reduce costs. It allows us to leverage the expertise of third-party developers, without having to develop everything in-house.

Generate new revenue streams

APIs can help businesses generate new revenue streams by offering access to data or functionality to third-party developers or service partners. By monetizing APIs, businesses can create new business models and revenue streams, while also scaling their customer base.

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Key differences between SDK and API

The purpose of both SDK and API is the same: to accelerate and shorten the development cycle of an application, but in diverse ways. And these diverse ways set them apart from each other.

So, let’s explore the key differentiators between SDK and API!

To ensure our clear understanding of the differences between SDK and API, let’s compare the Facebook SDK vs. API examples!

Facebook SDK vs. API

Facebook provides both an SDK and API application integration with Facebook features. From small to enterprise-scale businesses, both have become cornerstones for building engaging and successful applications.

To understand how they differ, let us glance below!

You can use any one of them individually or together. Both tools have their own strengths and are often used together to build robust social applications.

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When and how should the SDK and API be used?

Deciding between using the SDK versus API depends on the specific needs of your application. If you are building an application that interacts with a particular hardware device, like a camera or printer, the SDK is the best way to go. However, if you need to access or manipulate web service data in a custom way, the API is the better option to choose.

Let’s say you are wondering how to create a mobile application that integrates with a fitness tracker. You may need to use the SDK provided by the fitness tracker manufacturer to access its data.

In contrast, if you are building a weather application that shows weather data from a weather service, you will use the API provided by the weather service to access its data.

Overall, the choice between using an SDK or API depends on the specific needs of the application development.

Final WordsAPIs (application programming interfaces) and SDKs (Software development kits) have become a crucial part of next-gen software development. With the ever-increasing complexities and meeting the requirements of a fast-paced business environment, SDK and API aim to simplify and shorten the development cycle. Both SDKs and API tools allow you to develop applications across different platforms and integrate with varied services.Radixweb has a proven record of accomplishment in scaling businesses globally using SDKs and APIs. If you enjoyed reading this blog, we are sure you will be satisfied with our SDK and API development services. Check out our portfolio to see examples of our past work and the solutions we have provided to our clients.To get more detailed insights, visit Radixweb and get the latest updates, trends, and solutions of software development industry.