An API is an interface that allows software programs to communicate with each other. APIs define a set of functions that allow components within a software system to communicate in a standardized way. Traditionally, APIs focused on solving data integration problems by enabling the exchange and sharing of data between different software programs and platforms. Modern organizations now leverage APIs to gain insights from user data on other platforms, quickly develop common tasks, and automate existing processes. Popular examples of APIs include Google Maps, Facebook, and YouTube.

1. Applications Programming Interface Application programming interface (API) Is an interface implemented by a software program which enables it to interact with other software. Interacts between different software programs similar to the way the user interface facilitates interaction between humans and computers. An API is typically a defined set of Hypertext Transfer protocol(HTTP). Request message expressed in Extensible Markup Language (xML) or javascript Object Notations (JASON) format.

2. Concept API is an abstractions that describes an interface with a set of functions used by components of a software system. API Can be, General, Specific, language-dependent, language-independent, Application A API Application B Requested data Retrieve data

3. Traditional Focus of APIs APIs were initially targeted to solve the data integration problem. Before APIs,data integrity was tackled by one of the following ways: 1.manual data exchange importing/exporting flat files. 2.Custom software middleware solutions. 3.Selecting a single software provider to meet all needs-although may not be the best at all functions.

4. Benefits of APIs Extensibility Extends the outreach of nonprofits to web communities where constituents find themselves. Flexability Enables nonprofits to use best of breed vs one size fits all approach. Integration Ensure data integrity between different platforms and avoid data silos.

5. Web APIs The web is evolving -possibilities are unlimited. Real Time communications. Personalized access to information. Data aggregation from multiple sources.

6. Web APIs(cont..) Traditional web:Static information Hypertext links different informations stores. Introduction of web services primarily intended for server to server communications. XML Extensible markup language. RSS Really simple syndication

7. Current State Technology REST,JSON,XML Mash Ups A website or application that combines content from more than one source into an integrated experience. Sucess story of an API: Google Maps.

8. Modern Organizations who utilize APIs Know more about your users Utilize information they have given other businesses. Decreased barriers of entry Quick development of common tasks. Automation of existing processes Example:google adsense. Virgin mobile and social Networking.

9. Use of APIs Photos can be shared from sites like Flickr and photobucket to social network sites like facebook and Myspace. Content can be Embedded,e.g.,embedding a presentations from sildeshare on a linkedln profile. Content can be dynamically posted.sharing live comments made on Twitter with a facebook account,for eg.is enabled by their APIs. Video content can be embedded on sites which are served by another Host. User informations can be shared from web communities to outside applications,delivering new functionality to the web community that share its user.

10. Implementations Portable Operating System Interface, Defines an API that allows a wide range of common computing functions to be written in a way such that they may operate on many systems. Macos X, and various Berkeley Software Distributions implement this interface.

11. Release Policies The Two options for releasing APIs are: 1)Protecting information on APIs from the general public. 2)Making APIs freely available.

12. APIs Example. ASPI for SCSI device interfacing. Carbon and Cocao for the Macintosh. DirectX for Microsoft Windows. Java APIs OpenGL cross-platform graphics API OpenAL cross-platform sound API OpenCL cross-platform API for general -purpose computing for CPUs & GPUs. Simple directMedia Layer(SDL) Windows API

13. Open API Mendeley Open API Oauth JSON Research paper informations. Aggregate statistics. Individual user libraries.

14. APIs in social software Flickr Twitter Facebook Slide share LinkedIn

15. Top 15 web APIs for Your Site You Tube API. Flickr API. Google Maps. Delicious API. Digg API. Google AJAX Feed API. Windows Live API. Yahoo Search API. Google Search API.

16. Top 15 Web APIS for Your Site Feedburner API. Facebook API. Ebay API. Audio Scrobbler API.

17. 10,Useful API tools for website Development. DataMash-Mash Up API for integrated Widget Operations. Web Shot Pro-Websites Screenshot API. The Echo Nest -Music Related API. Clicktell-Wordwide SMS Delivery API. Pushpin -Mapping API. Shopping.com API. Mediawiki API-Travel,Dictionary and news API. Facebook API-Social Networking API. Feed Burner API-Add ”FLARE” To your RSS Feeds. Youtube API.

18. Open APIs for Business Growth. Open APIs are increasingly being Exposed,Especially for mobile and cloud apps,but they require appropriate monitoring and management.