Connor Griesemer & Kevin Wu Today: API’s Connor Griesemer & Kevin Wu
Brief Overview What is an API? Why do we have them? Different types Popular API’s
What is an API? API stands for - Application Programmable Interface Textbook Definition: A set of protocols, routines and tools for building software applications
Most popular programming languages used with API’s PHP Python Ruby .NET/C#
Layman's Terms API’s allow a programmer to access large data sets stored in the cloud to work with a developer's application. Prebuilt API’s allow you to access data that's already been assembled for real world applications Popular API’s consist of widely used data pools.
Why do we have API’s? API’s are what allows access to services Programmers can utilize a function that already exists and apply it to their own project There usually aren’t substantial benefits to hard coding your own API Ex. credit card processing
API’s History SOAP Developed by Microsoft Rigid, messaging protocol for Linux & Window REST Architectural browser. Standardized methods for the web HTTP / CRUD
Different Types of API’s There are many different types of API’s for operating systems for different purposes Mapping, social, video, photos, searching, eCommerce
Popular API’s
YouTube First thing that comes to mind: videos YouTube API allows developers to access video statistics and YouTube channel data This is primarily how YouTubers get paid
Allows access to product descriptions, images, reviews, shopping cart functionality “Associates” can use this API for financial gains
Facebook This API allows applications to use social connections to make them more involving Can publish activities to news feed and profiles of Facebook Allows the addition of social context to whatever software that’s being developed
Google Calendar Can be very efficient for scheduling softwares/applications
Twitter GET Protocols Specified User Timeline Mentions Home Timeline Twitter search Twitter REST Protocol - Returns JSON string Representable State Transfer PHP handler Accepts GET or POST Access token authentication Loop through the data Php function Json_decode Converts JSON string to Array Loop through array and print fields
Google Maps Allows developers to embed Google maps on webpages, OS and applications: Google Maps Android API Google Places API for Android Web API’s Web services API Google maps SDK for IOS Google places API for IOS
Google Maps Basic Demo
Google Maps Cont... Production Example: sena.com find a dealer page
Find a dealer cont...