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Application programming interface
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Everything about Application Programming Interface totally explainedAn application programming interface ( API) is a source code interface that an operating system, library or service provides to support requests made by computer programs.
- Language-dependent APIs are available only in a particular programming language. They utilize the syntax and elements of the programming language to make the API convenient to use in this particular context.
Language-independent APIs are written in a way they can be called from several programming languages. This is a desired feature for service style API which isn't bound to a particular process or system and is available as a remote procedure call.
API versus ABI
An API is typically defined at a higher level (for example, in terms of a programming language that can be compiled when an application is built, rather than an explicit low level description of how data is laid out in memory). For example, the Linux Standard Base is an ABI, while POSIX is an API.
Distinction between specification and its implementation
The software that provides the functionality described by an API is said to be an implementation of the API. The API itself is abstract, in that it specifies an interface and the behavior of the identifiers specified in that interface; it doesn't specify how the behavior may be implemented.
Release policies
There are two general kinds of API publishing policies that are often encountered:
Some companies protect information on their APIs from the general public. For example, Sony used to make its official PlayStation 2 API available only to licensed PlayStation developers. This enabled Sony to control who wrote PlayStation 2 games. Such control can have quality control benefits and potential license revenue.
Some companies make their APIs freely available. For example Microsoft makes the Microsoft Windows API public and Apple releases its APIs Carbon and Cocoa so that software can be written for their platform.
API examples
Below are listed some well known APIs.
Language bindings and interface generators
Below are listed some interface generator tools.
SWIG
PyGTK : Python bindings for GTK
JSR 231 Java Binding for the OpenGL API
F2PY: Fortran to Python interface generator.Further Information
Get more info on 'Application Programming Interface'.
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