Which of the following terms refers to a method for accessing and exchanging data between software systems?

The term that refers to a method for accessing and exchanging data between software systems is the Application Programming Interface (API). An API provides a set of rules and protocols for building and interacting with software applications, enabling different systems to communicate and share data. It specifies how different software components should interact, helping developers to integrate their applications with other services or resources effectively.

APIs are crucial in modern software development, allowing disparate systems to work together, whether they are on the same network or across the internet. They can be used for various purposes, such as retrieving data from a server, sending data to a database, or even functioning in a more complex ecosystem of applications.

While other options may relate to aspects of data handling, they do not specifically address the standard method of interaction between software systems in the same manner that APIs do. For example, a Database Connection Interface typically refers to connections specifically for database interactions, and while it involves some data exchange, it lacks the broader applicability of APIs. A Software Communication Protocol generally outlines the format and rules for data exchange but does not specifically refer to the interfaces used to facilitate this exchange in the way APIs do. Finally, a Data Exchange Format pertains to the structure of the data being exchanged rather than the method of accessing or