web api vs web scraping

[malleshg24]

Hi Team,

Is there any difference between web api and web scrapping







Thanks
mg

[zoejogle]

You could simply google that instead of asking here.

[Aussiebear]

@zoejogle, nice try but, this is an old thread to which no one was giving any attention.

[gary.reilly]

A web API is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. It serves as a bridge between various software systems, enabling them to exchange data and functionality and for b2b data building. Web APIs are designed to provide a standardized way for developers to access specific resources or services provided by a web application. They are commonly used to request and receive data in a structured format, such as JSON or XML.
Web scraping involves extracting information from websites by parsing the HTML and other content of web pages. It's essentially a technique for automating the process of gathering data from websites. Web scraping can be used to extract data that is not available through APIs or to gather information from websites that do not offer APIs.

[janamacon]

A web API, including B2B data building, is a set of rules and protocols that allows one software application to interact with another over the internet. It defines the methods and data formats that applications, including those involved in B2B data building, can use to request and exchange information. APIs, often used in B2B data building (https://www.globaldatabase.com/why-use-b2b-data-providers-apis-when-building-your-app) processes, are typically designed and provided by the owners of a website or web service to allow controlled access to their data or functionality. Accessing a web API, including those related to B2B data building, is a legitimate and encouraged way to obtain data or use services from a web application, as long as the API is properly documented and the user complies with the API's terms of use.

Web scraping, on the other hand, is a technique used to extract data from websites. It involves parsing the HTML of a web page to extract specific information, which can also be relevant to B2B data building, from it. Web scraping doesn't use an official API; instead, it directly accesses and parses the HTML structure of a website. In summary, the main difference is that web APIs, often used in B2B data building, are a structured and authorized way to access a web service's data or functionality, while web scraping involves extracting directly from a website's HTML, which may or may not be allowed, depending on the website's terms of use and legal considerations. Web scraping is typically used when no API, such as one for B2B data building, is available, and caution should be exercised to ensure compliance with legal and ethical guidelines.

[gary.reilly]

A web API, including B2B data building, is a set of rules and protocols that allows one software application to interact with another over the internet. It defines the methods and data formats that applications, including those involved in B2B data building, can use to request and exchange information. APIs, often used in B2B data building (https://www.globaldatabase.com/why-use-b2b-data-providers-apis-when-building-your-app) processes, are typically designed and provided by the owners of a website or web service to allow controlled access to their data or functionality. Accessing a web API, including those related to B2B data building, is a legitimate and encouraged way to obtain data or use services from a web application, as long as the API is properly documented and the user complies with the API's terms of use.

Web scraping, on the other hand, is a technique used to extract data from websites. It involves parsing the HTML of a web page to extract specific information, which can also be relevant to B2B data building, from it. Web scraping doesn't use an official API; instead, it directly accesses and parses the HTML structure of a website. In summary, the main difference is that web APIs, often used in B2B data building, are a structured and authorized way to access a web service's data or functionality, while web scraping involves extracting directly from a website's HTML, which may or may not be allowed, depending on the website's terms of use and legal considerations. Web scraping is typically used when no API, such as one for B2B data building, is available, and caution should be exercised to ensure compliance with legal and ethical guidelines.

Such a great response and interesting insights.