Open API
Encyclopedia
Open API is a word used to describe sets of technologies that enable websites to interact with each other by using REST
, SOAP
, JavaScript
and other web technologies. While its possibilities aren't limited to web-based applications, it's becoming an increasing trend in so-called Web 2.0
applications.
The term API
stands for Application Programming Interface.
and Web 2.0
. It is currently a heavily sought after solution to interconnect websites in a more fluid user-friendly manner. Open API also applies to collaborative services environments where managed service providers can also outsource specific services to other providers via systems integration. For example, companies like Level Platforms
provide an open API to adapt to any business offering within the managed service environment.
With the advent of the Facebook Platform, launched June 1st 2007, Facebook incorporated an open API into its business model.
OpenSocial
is currently being developed by Google in conjunction with MySpace and other social networks including Bebo.com Engage.com, Friendster, hi5, Hyves, imeem, LinkedIn, MySpace, Ning, Oracle, orkut, Plaxo, Salesforce.com, Six Apart, Tianji, Viadeo, and XING. The ultimate goal is for any social website to be able to implement the APIs and host third party social applications.
"Open API" is also becoming very popular among technical software, for collaboration between different trades such as architects and engineers. Since there is different software for designing structures, buildings, these trades find a way to use each other's work through "Open API". For example, an architect can draw in CAD software and engineers can implement these plans into their software.
Representational State Transfer
Representational state transfer is a style of software architecture for distributed hypermedia systems such as the World Wide Web. The term representational state transfer was introduced and defined in 2000 by Roy Fielding in his doctoral dissertation...
, SOAP
SOAP
SOAP, originally defined as Simple Object Access Protocol, is a protocol specification for exchanging structured information in the implementation of Web Services in computer networks...
, JavaScript
JavaScript
JavaScript is a prototype-based scripting language that is dynamic, weakly typed and has first-class functions. It is a multi-paradigm language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming styles....
and other web technologies. While its possibilities aren't limited to web-based applications, it's becoming an increasing trend in so-called Web 2.0
Web 2.0
The term Web 2.0 is associated with web applications that facilitate participatory information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web...
applications.
The term API
Application programming interface
An application programming interface is a source code based specification intended to be used as an interface by software components to communicate with each other...
stands for Application Programming Interface.
Introduction
The term "Open API" has been recently in use by recent trends in social mediaSocial media
The term Social Media refers to the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into an interactive dialogue. Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein define social media as "a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0,...
and Web 2.0
Web 2.0
The term Web 2.0 is associated with web applications that facilitate participatory information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web...
. It is currently a heavily sought after solution to interconnect websites in a more fluid user-friendly manner. Open API also applies to collaborative services environments where managed service providers can also outsource specific services to other providers via systems integration. For example, companies like Level Platforms
Level Platforms
Level Platforms is a provider of remote monitoring and management software products for IT service providers and VARs that provide IT support services for small and medium size businesses and branch offices....
provide an open API to adapt to any business offering within the managed service environment.
With the advent of the Facebook Platform, launched June 1st 2007, Facebook incorporated an open API into its business model.
OpenSocial
OpenSocial
OpenSocial is a set of common application programming interfaces for web-based social network applications, developed by Google along with MySpace and a number of other social networks.It was released November 1, 2007....
is currently being developed by Google in conjunction with MySpace and other social networks including Bebo.com Engage.com, Friendster, hi5, Hyves, imeem, LinkedIn, MySpace, Ning, Oracle, orkut, Plaxo, Salesforce.com, Six Apart, Tianji, Viadeo, and XING. The ultimate goal is for any social website to be able to implement the APIs and host third party social applications.
"Open API" is also becoming very popular among technical software, for collaboration between different trades such as architects and engineers. Since there is different software for designing structures, buildings, these trades find a way to use each other's work through "Open API". For example, an architect can draw in CAD software and engineers can implement these plans into their software.