IPA IP 2021 Question 31

A question IPA Japan published in 令和3年度 ITパスポート試験公開問題問31, translated into English. ITPEC is based on the same exams.

Same question on ITPEC: Oct 2025 Q85 +1 more

Which of the following is the most appropriate description of the API economy?

a)It is a mechanism where services with a higher added value are provided over the Internet by linking the services that are provided by a range of providers.b)It is a mechanism for a copyright holder to release the source code for software for free via the Internet, etc.c)It is a mechanism for streamlining work such as routine administrative work by using a software robot.d)It is a mechanism for the distributed management of transaction history with multiple systems.

Explanation

Linking services from many providers over the Internet to offer services with higher added value — the API economy.

An API (application programming interface) is the published way for one program to use another's functions or data. When companies open their services through APIs, others can combine them: a ride-hailing app uses a map provider's API for routes and a payment provider's API for fares, and a bank's Open API lets fintech firms build services on its accounts. The value created by this linking, and the business built on providing and using APIs, is the API economy.

Answer (a)

Why not others:

•(b) — a copyright holder releasing source code free over the Internet is open-source software (OSS)
•(c) — streamlining routine administrative work with a software robot is RPA (robotic process automation)
•(d) — managing transaction history in a distributed way across many systems is a distributed ledger, the idea behind blockchain

Key rule: The API economy is about combining other companies' services through APIs; OSS shares source code, RPA automates routine work, and blockchain shares a ledger.

Business Industry · AI-written, may contain errors

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This question comes from the past questions IPA Japan publishes, translated into English by ITPEC Practice. ITPEC Practice is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with IPA or ITPEC. See the original paper (PDF) or Report an issue.