API or standard DLL?

Hi there

I got a project where a client wants a API written to access external
product provider databases and return results as a recordset.

What is the difference between an API and standard DLL? As I
understand, API doesn't rely on any other
software than e.g. Windows APIs to perform a task?
Should one write the API in C++ or will VB.NET or C# work? If so,
will the API will depend on the dotNet framework to be loaded?

.

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