What is an API Gateway in Cloud Computing?

An API gateway is a service that sits in front of backend APIs. It receives client requests, routes them to the right service, and can apply security, throttling, logging, and transformation rules.

Why API gateways are common in cloud

Cloud systems often have many services. An API gateway gives clients one controlled entry point instead of exposing every backend service directly.

API gateway and serverless

API gateways are often used with serverless functions, microservices, and container platforms. They help manage traffic before it reaches application code.

An API gateway is both a routing layer and a policy enforcement point.