# Introduction

The openEO API defines a HTTP API that lets cloud back-ends with large Earth observation datasets communicate with front end analysis applications in an interoperable way.

As an overview, the openEO API specifies how to

  • discover which Earth observation data and processes are available at cloud back-ends,
  • execute (chained) processes on back-ends,
  • run user-defined functions (UDFs) on back-ends where UDFs can be exposed to the data in different ways,
  • download (intermediate) results, and
  • manage user content including billing.

The API is defined as an OpenAPI 3.0 (opens new window) YAML file.

The API and processes are grouped into compliance profiles.

# Additional information