API typesA classification of Application Programming Interfaces

Sarah Maddox, technical writerhttp://goo.gl/tTqyne

API Types, by Sarah Maddox

What is an API?

Application Programming Interface (API)A means of communication

○ App to app○ Automated

A description of the communication methods allowed○ Requesting information○ Sending information○ Updating information

The mechanisms supporting those interactions

API Types, by Sarah Maddox

What is an API?

Usually not UI○ Software-to-software interaction, not user interaction○ May provide a UI widget

“Components” rather than “apps”?○ Yes, that’s more precise○ But “app” is good for most purposes

“APIs” = features within an API?○ No, although fairly common usage ○ Those are classes, methods, endpoints, etc

API Types, by Sarah Maddox

A simple classification of APIsWeb service APIs

SOAPXML-RPC and JSON-RPCREST

WebSocket APIs

Library-based APIsJavaScriptTWAIN

Class-based APIs (object orientation)Java APIAndroid API

OS functions and routinesAccess to file systemAccess to user interface

Object remoting APIsCORBA.NET Remoting

Hardware APIsVideo accelerationHard disk drivesPCI buses

API Types, by Sarah Maddox

Web service APIs

FlickrGoogle Static MapsGoogle GeolocationAnd many many more

API Types, by Sarah Maddox

WebSockets

ServerWeb browser

API Types, by Sarah Maddox

Library-based APIs

Google Maps JavaScript APIDropbox JavaScript Datastore APITwilio APIs - lots of themTWAIN - for scanners and camerasOracle Call Interface (OCI)

API Types, by Sarah Maddox

Class-based APIs

Java APIAndroid APIGoogle Maps Android APIMSDN Class Library for .NET FrameworkTwilio APIs for Java and C#

API Types, by Sarah Maddox

A simple classificationOS functions and routines

Access to file systemAccess to user interface

Object remoting APIsCORBA.NET Remoting

Hardware APIsVideo accelerationHard disk drivesPCI buses

Web service APIsSOAPXML-RPC and JSON-RPCREST

WebSocket APIs

Library-based APIsJavaScriptTWAIN

Class-based APIs (object orientation)Java APIAndroid API

API Types, by Sarah Maddox

Blog post with details and comments

http://goo.gl/tTqyne

Long link:http://ffeathers.wordpress.com/2014/02/16/api-types

API Types, by Sarah Maddox

Twitter @sarahmaddox

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Slideshare sarahmaddoxBlog ffeathers.wordpress.com

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