Facebook Platform allows developers to build applications that integrate with Facebook user data and social connections through APIs and web services. It provides methods for authentication, querying data through FQL, and rendering content on Facebook through either FBML or iframes. While FBML played an important role historically, Facebook now recommends using iframes for new applications as FBML support will be phased out over time.

1. Olgun Cakabey Inam Soomro April 2011 PLATFORM ARCHITECTURE

4. Facebook Platform

13. Web Service Authentication Handshake

21. FBML

22. FBML vs. iFrame FBML iFrame Has a consistent look and feel Enables existing apps to get up and running quicker Uses FBML elements Makes it easier to maintain a common code base May offer improved performance