> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://interviews.woojiahao.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://interviews.woojiahao.com/other-technical-topics/system-design/accessing-apis.md).

# Accessing APIs

{% hint style="info" %}
This section focuses on accessing APIs in Python, if you are not using Python, please refer to the respective documentation for your language to learn how to access APIs
{% endhint %}

To make an API request, use the `requests` library, which you need to import first:

```python
import requests
```

Then, to make a `GET` request, use `requests.get(URL)`. This returns a `Response` object that you can use to extract information from the API:

```python
resp = requests.get('fake URL')
resp.status # status of the request
resp.json() # body of response as JSON, access it as you would an array/dictionary
```

To upload data via a `POST` request, use `requests.post(URL, json=JSON)`

```python
body = {'foo': 'bar'}
requests.post('fake URL', json=body) # this sends the JSON to the URL
```


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## 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, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://interviews.woojiahao.com/other-technical-topics/system-design/accessing-apis.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

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.