A software development kit (SDK) is a collection of software development tools in one installable package that facilitates the creation of applications by having a compiler, debugger, and sometimes a software framework. An SDK can take the form of application programming interfaces (APIs) in the form of on-device libraries of reusable functions used to interface to a particular programming language, or it may be as complex as hardware-specific tools that can communicate with a particular embedded system. SDKs provide pre-built modules, components, packages, and tools for developers to build, test, and deploy software applications. They simplify developing, testing, and integration with other systems and services, code samples and tutorials, debugging tools, and code libraries. SDKs also make it simpler to deploy apps across different platforms, such as iOS or Android. SDKs include documentation, APIs, code samples, libraries, and processes, as well as guides that developers can use and integrate into their apps. Developers can use SDKs to build and maintain applications without having to write everything from scratch.
While an SDK and an API are related, they serve different purposes. An SDK is used to create applications for a specific platform or programming language. An SDK typically includes an API, but it also includes other resources like documentation, sample code, and development tools. An API, on the other hand, is a set of protocols, routines, and tools for building software and applications. It specifies how software components should interact and makes it easier for developers to use certain technologies in their applications.
