Open APIs

What Is Open API?

Open API simply refers to API code that has already been written and is available for the public to use. Developers of all sorts created them and put them on the web so people can put it directly into their code. It carries no licenses or restrictions. It is totally free for people to use when developing their sites or apps.

What Are Open API Specifications?

The Open API specifications – formerly known as the Swagger Specifications – are a set of rules that define the API itself. The specifications let users describe, produce, consume and visualize RESTful APIs. In layman’s terms, the specifications tell you what to expect and how to use the API .

Open API List

Searching for open APIs can be a challenge. Luckily, there are sites that have curated general open APIs, and you can search them. On these lists, all of the open APIs meet current specifications and can be used. Probably the best list to start with is provided by Git Hub . API List is another great resource.

What Is Swagger API Used For?

Swagger is the term for the tools used to implement open APIs. In other words they allow you to view, edit and put open APIs into your programming code. Most Swagger tools are free for the public to use. Some of them may cost a minor fee.

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Agent-readable source

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[Human view](https://apicontext.com/api-knowledge-base/apis/open-api) · [Markdown view](https://apicontext.com/api-knowledge-base/apis/open-api.md) · [APIContext home](https://apicontext.com)

# Open APIs

Canonical URL: https://apicontext.com/api-knowledge-base/apis/open-api
Source: static

Description: Use Open API software instead of building from scratch — save time and money with tools others have already built\.

## Summary
Use Open API software instead of building from scratch — save time and money with tools others have already built\.

## Page sections

### What Is Open API?
Open API simply refers to API code that has already been written and is available for the public to use\. Developers of all sorts created them and put them on the web so people can put it directly into their code\. It carries no licenses or restrictions\. It is totally free for people to use when developing their sites or apps\.

### What Are Open API Specifications?
The Open API specifications – formerly known as the Swagger Specifications – are a set of rules that define the API itself\. The specifications let users describe, produce, consume and visualize RESTful APIs\. In layman’s terms, the specifications tell you what to expect and how to use the API \.

### Open API List
Searching for open APIs can be a challenge\. Luckily, there are sites that have curated general open APIs, and you can search them\. On these lists, all of the open APIs meet current specifications and can be used\. Probably the best list to start with is provided by Git Hub \. API List is another great resource\.

### What Is Swagger API Used For?
Swagger is the term for the tools used to implement open APIs\. In other words they allow you to view, edit and put open APIs into your programming code\. Most Swagger tools are free for the public to use\. Some of them may cost a minor fee\.

### Ready To Start Monitoring?
Want to learn more? Sign up now and start using the product immediately\.

## Key facts
- What Is Open API?
- What Are Open API Specifications?
- Open API List
- What Is Swagger API Used For?
- Ready To Start Monitoring?
- Developing websites and apps these days means understanding how to use APIs\.
- They send data from your customer to your site and then back again\.
- APIs are the key to making websites and apps do what they are supposed to do\.

## Primary entities
- APIContext
- Open APIs
- API knowledge base
- API monitoring

## Primary links
- [Human knowledge base view](/api-knowledge-base/apis/open-api)