Difference between CLI and API

What is CLI (Command Line Interface)?

CLI is an abbreviation for Command Line Input/Interface/Interpreter. In the past years, computer terminals were used as an interface with computers which is concise and uses fewer resources. A command line interface is like a test-based test-based UI, which is used to run programs, manage computer documents, and also helps to communicate with the computer. The CLIs are also called command line user interface, console user interface, and character user interface. CLIs take keyboard instructions as input and the computer executes the commands provided at the prompt.

The graphical user interface is used in all the basic operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and macOS. But the modern UNix Based interface consists command line interface as well as graphical user interfaces.

The command line interface is usable in the MS-DOS operating system and in the command shell, which is in the Windows operating system. It is also helpful in programming languages such as Python. The GUI-based personal computer was introduced in operating systems like Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS in the 1980s. The command line became the essential tool for IT professionals, software developers, system administrators, network administrators, and persons who want more accuracy and repeatability in their systems.

What is API (Application Programming Interface)?

API is known as the application Programming Interface, which is a group of communication protocols and subroutines that helps the programs to communicate with each other.

APIs form the work collaboration between the business and IT teams to determine how the developer inserts new application components in existing architecture.

To be in the market, doing new experiments, and quickly developing and implementing innovative services into the architecture becomes difficult. By using Cloud Native application development, we can connect the microservices application by APIs, and this connection can be helpful for development.

By use of API, it becomes easy for us to connect our own infrastructure via cloud-native app development. It also allows us to extend data to our external customers and user.

Social APIs have particular economic value, but they make it easy and suitable how you will communicate with your partner while monetizing your data at the same time.

Now, we will discuss the differences between CLI and API in tabular form:

CLI is a fundamental computer method. Its primary job is to take text commands from the operating system and convert them into functions. Because of its scripting capabilities and developer user experience, the CLI is critical in cloud computing administration. It has been observed that API-related organizations are beginning to offer the CLI with the API due to the realization that it may improve the developer's third-party experience.

When it comes to the regular customer, they prefer to use a graphical user interface for their device, but a command line interface is also the best option.

Advanced computer users frequently prefer the command line interface because it gives the most powerful way of controlling an operating system and enables scripting automation. Many regular programs offer more modification when run from a command line shell. Some apps may even have an API, a CLI, and a GUI, or they may be operated via CLI commands wrapped in a GUI.