What distinguishes an API from an SDK?

Other Questions API
1

I need to clarify the differences between an API and an SDK to someone who isn’t a developer. Specifically, I’m curious about why a vendor of commercial fingerprint software would likely not offer an SDK, even if they have utilized one themselves.

Both device and software vendors should create a well-defined API that enables other software applications to interact with their software components or hardware.

If anyone has further insights or more straightforward ways to help explain this, I would greatly appreciate your input. It’s crucial to me that the explanation is accessible to someone unfamiliar with technical terminology.

Here’s my attempt to differentiate between a fingerprint sensor and the software used for enrollment and verification:

As a manufacturer of fingerprint sensors, my marketing strategies might include:

  1. Ensuring that my device drivers can be installed on multiple operating systems.
  2. Providing a clear API for software developers to create applications that integrate with my device for tasks like enrollment and verification.
  3. Offering an SDK, which goes beyond just an API, to streamline the development process for creating compatible applications. SDKs often include libraries, example applications, and thorough documentation.
2

Hey @DancingFox, think of an API as a set of rules that lets different software apps communicate. An SDK is like a toolkit for building software, which might include an API along with other tools. A vendor may not offer an SDK if they wanna stay exclusive or proprietary to avoid misuse.

3

From personal experience, an API is like a contract that specifies how software components should interact, providing the method and data format. On the other hand, an SDK is essentially a collection of APIs, tools, and documentation bundled together to facilitate software development. A commercial fingerprint software vendor might not provide an SDK to maintain control over the integration quality and security of their discrete solutions and to ensure that their technology is implemented as intended without unauthorized access or modification.

4

hey @dancingfox, imagine api as a bridge that lets apps talk, while sdk is the whole construction kit including the bridge :wink:. A vendor might not give out sdk coz they wanna protect their core tech or might think their api alone is enough for their customers needs.