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API. Application programming interface

Lecture



An application programming interface (API, application programming interface) is a set of ready-made classes, procedures, functions, structures and constants provided by an application (library, service) for use in external software products. Used by programmers to write various applications.

The API defines the functionality that the program provides (module, library), while the API allows you to abstract from how this functionality is implemented. If a program (module, library) is considered as a black box, then an API is a set of “pens” that are available to the user of this box, which he can return.

Software components interact with each other using an API. In this case, the components usually form a hierarchy — the high-level components use the API of low-level components, and those in turn use the API of even lower-level components.

The API for the site is a script that accepts requests (using the GET methods (site.ru / api.php: A = b), POST) and returns not the usual HTML for browsers, but the result of the request in a specific format (XML, JSON, php serialize () -ed).

ARI is not intended for users, but for a script from a third-party site / service / program that sends these GET / POST requests, gets the result and uses the data. Requests the script sends to perform a specific action (for example, as an action that is performed by users of the site through a browser).

APE developers and programmers need to integrate with other sites / services programs, or automate certain actions. Typically, AREs are created for very popular sites or services.

Widgets and Gadgets

A widget is a small independent software module that is made using API technology and works in a certain environment (for example, the Website, browser, mobile phone) and performs, as a rule, one specific function.

Widgets are also called gadgets, informers, and in English gadget, badge, module, webjit, capsule, snippet, mini or even flake.

Widgets can be divided into groups according to the environment in which they operate:

  • Web widgets
  • Desktop Widgets
  • Widgets for phones

Web widget (web widget)

This is a piece of code that can be embedded by the user in the HTML page and used without significant modification. Typically, when creating web widgets using technologies DHTML, JavaScript and Adobe Flash.

Web widgets can be divided into:

Interactive which the user can interact with, for example, send SMS or search for a route on the map.

Non-interactive, the content and work of which does not depend on user actions, looks at the page. Non-interactive widgets are often called informers. A classic example of an informer is a weather informer.

Desktop widgets (desktop widgets) or desktop widgets

These are small tools (programs) that perform some one function and require a special environment for their work — the widget engine.

Desktop widgets can display the latest news on the desktop of your computer, a slideshow of photos, allow you to take notes on virtual stickers, keep track of working time and much more.

When creating widgets for the desktop, a variety of technologies are used: from HTML and JavaScript to C ++. Very often, desktop widgets are used to display information on a desktop from a specific site (for example, a weather forecast) without a browser.

Widget in the phone

The technology of the widget in the network and the widget in the phone is built on the same principle. The widget in the phone is a graphical add-in installed on the phone. Usually, it serves to decorate, entertain, or transmit certain information. To install the widget in the phone, you need to have a modern phone model (Samsung, WiTu, Nokia LG, Apple's iPhone). The iPhone works almost like a widget, only these widgets are powerful programs. To fill the iPhone with content, you need to download applications for your phone from the developer’s site.

Web widget (web widget)

Google api

  • Google ARE Review
  • Google gadgets for web page

Yandex API

Yandex Widgets

Yandex widget technology

Creating your own Yandex widget

Block "Share" for your site

Yandex.Translate API

Yandex.Clean Web API

Yandex.Speller API

Yandex.Maps for your site

Yandex.Search for a site

Yandex.Hour

ARI Opera

  • Develop your own widget

Social Network Widgets

  • Widgets for Vkontakte
  • Facebook widgets
  • Classmates on your site

Buttons and widgets for working with Twitter

  • Buttons for following
  • Retweet button posts
  • Create your own widget

Television online on site

Radio online to the site

Informer

The informer is a service that allows you to display on your site useful, relevant and high-quality information on a topic that interests you without unnecessary trouble.

Financial informer from i.ua

Weather informer from i.ua

Bigmir.net informer

Informer from gismeteo.ua

Informer from tochka.net

News informer from yandex.ru

See also


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Fundamentals of Internet and Web Technologies

Terms: Fundamentals of Internet and Web Technologies