api
TRANSCRIPT
Applications Programming Interface
Application programming interface (API)
Is an interface implemented by a software program which enables
it to interact with other software.
Interacts between different software programs similar to the way the
user interface facilitates interaction between humans and
computers.
An API is typically a defined set of Hypertext Transfer
protocol(HTTP).
Request message expressed in Extensible Markup Language (xML)
or javascript Object Notations (JASON) format.
Concept
API is an abstractions that describes an interface with a set of functions
used by components of a software system.
API Can be,
General,
Specific,
language-dependent,
language-independent,
ApplicationA
APIApplication
BRetrieve data
Requested data
Traditional Focus of APIs
APIs were initially targeted to solve the data integration problem.
Before APIs,data integrity was tackled by one of the following ways:
1.manual data exchange importing/exporting flat files.
2.Custom software middleware solutions.
3.Selecting a single software provider to meet all needs-although
may not be the best at all functions.
Benefits of APIs
Extensibility
Extends the outreach of nonprofits to web communities where
constituents find themselves.
Flexability
Enables nonprofits to use best of breed vs one size fits all
approach.
Integration
Ensure data integrity between different platforms and avoid data
silos.
Web APIs
The web is evolving -possibilities are unlimited.
Real Time communications.
Personalized access to information.
Data aggregation from multiple sources.
Web APIs(cont..)
Traditional web:Static information
Hypertext links different informations stores.
Introduction of web services
primarily intended for server to server communications.
XML
Extensible markup language.
RSS
Really simple syndication
Current State
Technology
REST,JSON,XML
Mash Ups
A website or application that combines content from more than
one source into an integrated experience.
Sucess story of an API:
Google Maps.
Modern Organizations who utilize APIs
Know more about your users
Utilize information they have given other businesses.
Decreased barriers of entry
Quick development of common tasks.
Automation of existing processes
Example:google adsense.
Virgin mobile and social Networking.
Use of APIs
Photos can be shared from sites like Flickr and photobucket to
social network sites like facebook and Myspace.
Content can be Embedded,e.g.,embedding a presentations from
sildeshare on a linkedln profile.
Content can be dynamically posted.sharing live comments made on
Twitter with a facebook account,for eg.is enabled by their APIs.
Video content can be embedded on sites which are served by
another Host.
User informations can be shared from web communities to outside
applications,delivering new functionality to the web community that
share its user.
Implementations
Portable Operating System Interface,
Defines an API that allows a wide range of common computing
functions to be written in a way such that they may operate on many
systems.
Macos X, and various Berkeley Software Distributions implement
this interface.
Release Policies
The Two options for releasing APIs are:
1)Protecting information on APIs from the general public.
2)Making APIs freely available.
APIs Example.
ASPI for SCSI device interfacing.
Carbon and Cocao for the Macintosh.
DirectX for Microsoft Windows.
Java APIs
OpenGL cross-platform graphics API
OpenAL cross-platform sound API
OpenCL cross-platform API for general -purpose computing for
CPUs & GPUs.
Simple directMedia Layer(SDL)
Windows API
Open API
Mendeley Open API
Oauth
JSON
Research paper informations.
Aggregate statistics.
Individual user libraries.
APIs in social software
Flickr
Slide share
Top 15 web APIs for Your Site
You Tube API.
Flickr API.
Google Maps.
Delicious API.
Digg API.
Google AJAX Feed API.
Windows Live API.
Yahoo Search API.
Google Search API.
Top 15 Web APIS for Your Site
Feedburner API.
Facebook API.
Ebay API.
Audio Scrobbler API.
10,Useful API tools for website Development.
DataMash-Mash Up API for integrated Widget Operations.
Web Shot Pro-Websites Screenshot API.
The Echo Nest -Music Related API.
Clicktell-Wordwide SMS Delivery API.
Pushpin -Mapping API.
Shopping.com API.
Mediawiki API-Travel,Dictionary and news API.
Facebook API-Social Networking API.
Feed Burner API-Add ”FLARE” To your RSS Feeds.
Youtube API.
Open APIs for Business Growth.
Open APIs are increasingly being Exposed,Especially for mobile
and cloud apps,but they require appropriate monitoring and
management.