What is the definition of an API Client?

An API Client is defined as an application component that accesses a service by invoking an API of that service. This definition emphasizes the role of the API Client in actively engaging with an API to utilize its capabilities and functionalities. An API Client performs requests to the API endpoints, processes responses, and facilitates interaction between the end-user and the backend service.

This clarification helps highlight the significance of the API Client in the context of software architecture. It allows users or systems to leverage the services provided by a backend application by sending requests, which the API then processes. This interaction is fundamental in service-oriented architectures where separation between the client and the server exists.

In contrast, other definitions like defining service functionality or serving as an intermediary do not capture the essential active role that an API Client plays. Tools for monitoring API performance focus on analyzing and optimizing existing interactions, rather than being an actual component that makes requests to the API itself. This underlines the unique position that an API Client occupies in the interaction with APIs.