API

API
American Petroleum Institute.
Also, A.P.I.

* * *

▪ computer programming
in full  application programming interface 

      sets of standardized requests that allow different computer programs to communicate with each other.

      APIs establish the proper way for a developer to request services from a program. They are defined by the receiving programs, make working with other applications easier, and allow programs to communicate across different computing platforms. A program without an API would not be able to work with other applications very effectively. There are four primary types of APIs: remote procedure calls (RPCs), which allow the use of a program's procedures by other programs; standard query language (SQL), which establishes a standardized way to access databases (database); file transfer APIs, which establish ways to upload and download files; and message delivery APIs, which pass messages between programs and users. APIs also provide applications with graphics and sound, add networking capabilities, handle security and data translation, and manage access to system resources such as memory and hardware devices.

      APIs can take three forms: a commercial software package component, a specially licensed software element, and an interface explicitly designed for a specific program, which is usually the most expensive. The extra effort of producing an API can be justified, as they often help a program's relevance and longevity by allowing it to be accessed by other programs. Too much access, however, can result in an application's being copied; in order to avoid copying, some organizations try to keep their APIs secret or constantly change them. Many computer programmers consider APIs a good compromise between the flexibility of open-source (open source) programs and the rigidity of closed applications.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • api — (d ) [ dapi ] loc. adj. • pomme d api 1653; pomme apie 1571; lat. appiana (mala) « pommes appiennes », c. à d. d Appius, qui les aurait introduites à Rome ♦ Anciennt Pomme d api : variété de pomme très rouge d un côté. Pomme de reinette et pomme… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • api — api·a·ca; api·a·ce·ae; api·a·ceous; api·an; api·ar·i·an; api·a·rist; api·ary; api·cian; api·cul·tur·al; api·cul·ture; api·cul·tur·ist; api·gen·in; api·in; api·ko·res; api·na·vé; api·ole; api·ol·o·gy; api·on; api·os; api·ose; api·o·so·ma;… …   English syllables

  • Api — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. {{{image}}}   Sigles d une seule lettre   Sigles de deux lettres > Sigles de trois lettres …   Wikipédia en Français

  • API — (American Petroleum Institute) – Американский Нефтяной Институт. Система классификации масел API разработана в 1947 году Американским Институтом Нефти. Стандарты рабочих характеристик API указываются при помощи сокращений API SJ и API CE: первая… …   Автомобильный словарь

  • API — (de or. quechua; Arg., Bol.) m. *Maíz blanco molido y cocido que se come en frío, generalmente con leche y azúcar. * * * api. (De or. quechua). m. NO Arg. y Bol. Mazamorra de maíz morado triturado, sazonada con diversos ingredientes …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • API — steht für: Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient, englische Bezeichnung für einen Arzneistoff (Wirkstoff) in einem Medikament Adaptive Planungsintelligenz, mathematische Methoden für industrielle Planungsaufgaben African Plants Initiative, ein Projekt …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • api\ d' — api (d ) [ dapi ] loc. adj. • pomme d api 1653; pomme apie 1571; lat. appiana (mala) « pommes appiennes », c. à d. d Appius, qui les aurait introduites à Rome ♦ Anciennt Pomme d api : variété de pomme très rouge d un côté. Pomme de reinette et… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Api — steht für: Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient, englische Bezeichnung für einen Wirkstoff in einem Medikament Adaptive Planungsintelligenz, mathematische Methoden für industrielle Planungsaufgaben African Plants Initiative, ein Projekt zur Förderung …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • api — API. s. m. Sorte de pomme, petite, et ordinairement colorée d un rouge assez vif. Des pommes d Api. Voilà de sort bel Api. J ai beaucoup d Api dans mon jardin …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • api — Element de compunere savantă care are semnificaţia referitor la albină , de albină . [< fr. api , lat. apis – albină]. Trimis de LauraGellner, 04.11.2004. Sursa: DN  API elem. albină . (< fr. api , cf. lat. apis) Trimis de raduborza, 15.09 …   Dicționar Român

  • API — sąsaja statusas T sritis informatika atitikmenys: angl. API ryšiai: žiūrėk – programų sąsaja …   Enciklopedinis kompiuterijos žodynas

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”