# 5.2.1. APIs in General APIs can be defined as sets of procedures or instructions that are used to create applications and algorithms that provide access to features of another application or operating system. In layman terms, APIs specify how different functions or algorithms in a software should interact --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.futuregold.us/ai-arbitrage-trade-system/5.-technical-details/5.2.-apis-of-cryptocurrency-exchanges/5.2.1.-apis-in-general.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.