Python is commonly used to work with APIs and automate data collection.
APIs are a set of rules that describe how one system can request information from another using HTTP as the transport layer and often dealing in JSON data.
When making an API call, you send a request, the server validates it, and sends back a response which can be data like current weather, stock prices, or user lists.
APIs often require authentication through methods like API keys, bearer tokens, or client credentials to access data securely.