What role do APIs play in OutSystems applications?

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are essential in OutSystems applications as they facilitate communication between different components and services. This role is pivotal for enabling seamless data exchange and interaction with external systems and services, which is a fundamental aspect of modern application development. By using APIs, developers can access various resources, such as databases, third-party services, and other application components, enhancing the functionality and integration capabilities of OutSystems applications.

Through APIs, OutSystems applications can retrieve data from external sources, submit data to other services, and even communicate between different parts of the application itself. This allows for a more modular and scalable application architecture, where components can work independently while still collaborating effectively.

Other options, such as preventing data exchange, limiting functionality, or existing solely for error handling, do not align with the core purpose of APIs in application development. Instead, APIs serve as a bridge that enhances the overall capabilities and interoperability of applications within the OutSystems ecosystem.