What is the difference between middleware and API?

What is the difference between middleware and API?

Middleware
Middleware refers to the software that acts as a bridge or intermediary between two different applications or systems. It provides services and functions such as communication, data transformation, and routing. Middleware helps in integrating and connecting different components of a system to ensure seamless communication and data exchange.

API (Application Programming Interface)
API, on the other hand, is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. APIs define how software components should interact, specifying the types of requests that can be made, how they should be structured, and the format of the responses.

Differences:
1. While middleware facilitates communication between different software components, API defines how these components should interact.
2. Middleware acts as an intermediary layer, while API provides a defined interface for communication.
3. Middleware handles tasks such as data transformation and routing, whereas API specifies the rules for making requests and receiving responses.

In summary, middleware is a software that connects different components of a system, while API defines the rules for communication between software applications. Both middleware and API play essential roles in enabling seamless integration and interaction between different software systems.