What is an API? Reading Assignment

Blockchain Business Course
#364
  1. an api is a set of commands and rules on how to interact with a particular variable of a serverside application; it can also be the application running said rules to achieve a result usually through automation
  2. they use a different protocol for querying, one direct inherent to the programming language (JAVA) the other using http for requests (TWITTER)
  3. a simple one would be flicking a switch for a light source in the kitchen; a great deal of thought and labor went into the simple fact we can flick a switch in our houses and get illuminated with bright light of any color, not having to think about what happens in a switch, how current flows, through what kind of conduit it flows, how it got there, what was the main source of energy converted to electricity, how many people in some african country died for the wolfram used, how many watts will it use and how much the initial current surge will effect the bill at the end of the month… and yet, we choose when to turn it on/off, maybe just to see the mess we keep leaving behind, and shudder at the site.
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#365

What is an API?

  • API means Application Program Interface and is a means of integrating systems for ease of use. It allows developers to utilize and integrate tools and systems made by others into their own applications to create robust systems because API’s explain what a function is and how the function operates. Developers only need to create an interface to interact with the API’s to utilise the information the API produces.

2) In the article the author compares Java API to Twitter API. What is the main difference between these two APIs?

  • Java API is a library of software components designed to increase developer productivity because developers don’t have to write(all) code from scratch. And is available to anyone who has installed the Java Development Kit. A common example of a Java API is called List.

  • Twitter API is a web based JSON API and is accessed by making requests to the services that twitter hosts

3) The section in the article about abstraction is important, try to understand it and write down an abstraction from your daily life.

  • An abstract is a way of organizing a complex system so that complicated actions can be handled in simple ways.

  • Everyone’s favorite abstract= Coffee/expresso machine. Insert coffee and it does the rest.

In regards to commenters saying things like ATM’a are abstracts, I disagree. In the ATM scenario, the user must do the complicated thinking and decide which action(s) to execute. Abstracts serve to simplify complexity, as in one touch simplicity.

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#366

Excellent answers sir, well documented! Please keep them like that :muscle:

Carlos Z.

#367

  1. Api is and interface that takes an overwhelming amount of complexity and define a relatively simple set of interactions that you can utilize instead of doing it all yourself.

  2. The main difference between Java API and Twitter API is, that Java API is included in the Java Development kit. Where the Twitter API is a web based API and is only accessible through the user making requests from the twitter host over the internet.

  3. Hardware wallet, wallet shows you your balance of UTXO’s, send funds, receive funds, stores private and public keys.

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#368

) What is an API?

An application programming interface. When you are developing software, this helps you incorporate pre existing code by linking up with external software components. It also assists you in organising code and making it more reusable.

In my mind API allows you to purchase purpose built code that you don’t necessarily need to understand in terms of how it works, but you do understand what it can do for you.

  1. In the article the author compares Java API to Twitter API. What is the main difference between these two APIs?

Java runs on your own hardware, twitter needs an internet connection and thus it can take slightly longer to access the code back and forth.

  1. The section in the article about abstraction is important, try to understand it and write down an abstraction from your daily life.

Abstraction is about delegation and agency. An example, I am great at writing books, but I have an agent who deals with publishers, copywrite, legal contracts, fee negotiation, marketing etc. I don’t need to think about all that as the agent handles it away from me so I can focus on writing.

Abstraction is a process we initiate but don’t participate in as it’s very complex and yet the machinery that makes the process happen and delivers the result is in place and works efficiency and reliability for me and thousands of others once set in motion.

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#369

  1. An API is the communication between different software components. It makes doing complicated tasks much easier and user friendly.

  2. Java API is available if you have downloaded the java development kit. The kit has a library of software components available. The twitter API is a web based API. Meaning it can only be accessed by making requests of the internet to twitter’s server.

  3. I make my mom prepare my smoothie. This abstracts the making smoothie process of my life. Now I can go straight to drinking without having to worry about ingredients and blending process.

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#370

1)What is an API?
A. Is A way to programmatically interact with a separate software component. A specification of possible interactions with software components.

2) In the article the author compares Java API to Twitter API. What is the main difference between these two APIs?
A. Java has API included in software development kit. Twitter API is web based and uses a format called JSON.

3) The section in the article about abstraction is important, try to understand it and write down an abstraction from your daily life.
A. The dashboard buttons on my car. When pushed they begin running complex systems in the back end server in my car to bring thins like heat, cool air or sound to my dashboard interface.

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#371

1) What is an API?
A. Am API is a piece of code that takes a large amount of complexity and defines a simple set of interactions you can utilise instead of doing it yourself.
2) In the article the author compares Java API to Twitter API. What is the main difference between these two APIs?
A. Twitter API, Java API
3) The section in the article about abstraction is important, try to understand it and write down an abstraction from your daily life.
My Smart Phone is an Abstraction. It allows me to communicate via voice or data say to make a dentist appointment, banking, pay taxes, Celebrate someones birthday, order flowers, diagnose a problem with my car. etc etc etc…from wherever in the world I happen to be.

#372

1) What is an API?
An API stands for Application Programming Interface which is defined as a way to use programming to interact with a separate software component or resource

2) In the article the author compares Java API to Twitter API. What is the main difference between these two APIs?
The main difference between the JAVA API and Twitter API is the first operates within the actual software component of anyone that install the JDK while the later operates by making a request over the internet to services that twitter host.

3) The section in the article about abstraction is important, try to understand it and write down an abstraction from your daily life.
Analysing the financial market is a strenuous hardwork and even though I try to go through the hardwork on individual securities the challenges is the market and dynamics on each intruments will present itself in a slightly different manner.Therefore I have to come up with a set of many components that will be providing a high probability trade by just implying the codes a some constant and tallying a confluence of all this constant on the financial market by writing it in a pinescript such that each and everytime I turn on the script I can visually see the confluence already premarked by the scripts.

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#373

2) In the article the author compares Java API to Twitter API. What is the main difference between these two APIs?

Hello sir, did you forgot to type your answer to this question?

If you have any more questions, please let us know so we can help you! :slight_smile:

Carlos Z.

#374

Hi Carlos,

oops, yes…so busy yesterday. I must read the questions properly in future.

A. the main difference between the two APIs is that the Twitter API is web based and you have to make request over the internet to access its services whereas the Java API comes with anyone who has the Java Dev Kit installed.

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#375

  1. An API (Application Programming Interface) is a specification of possible interactions with a software component, it’s a way to programmatically interact with a separate software resource and it abstracts the logic to make it easier for developers to use. APIs are part of a developer’s toolsets. APIs can also be internal to help organize code and make its components easily reusable. Public/open APIs allow us to tap into functionality developed elsewhere over the Internet, some will charge us for this tapping. Regardless, this allows API integration; i.e. to write code that interacts with different vendors’ code.

  2. The Java API is included in Java development toolset to enable more efficiency and productivity, while the Twitter API is a web-based API lets developers to programmatically interact with Twitter.

  3. Abstraction might be a human need to navigate safely through complex systems in order to avoid stress and succeed at fulfilling a task.
    I’m writing this answer using the keyboard on my laptop, what’s going on under the keys is a mystery to me. Yet, the assignment is completed with no worries about how my laptop works under the hood.

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#376

API Reading assignment

  1. The API is like a toolbox or a library. You can find components (functions) already created, you can use for the construction of your app. The API is “hiding” a more complex structure from the developer.
  2. A Java API is designed as an offline package, you download the package and work, compiles and distribute. The Twitter API is online, you send requests to Twitter and you are enabled to use the database of tweets to obtain information.
  3. My illustration of abstractions is the cube. Abstraction level 0 is a physical representation. The abstraction level 1 is an image, level 2 is the word “cube”, level 3 is a graph with 8 vertices and 12 edges and 6 faces and level 4 is “a^3”. If you wish, more representations may be inserted in this description. :slight_smile:
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#377

  1. Applications and software components that allow programs to interact with each other

  2. One is web based and one is internal to a software so internet is not needed

3.It like hoe I use Ubereats everyday The API helps connect my location what food and restaurant and what my order payment etc will be then finds someone to bring it

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#378
  1. Application Programming Interface and is a programmatic way for software components and resources to interact.
  2. Twitter is a web-based API whereas Java API is an out-of-the-box. Java has a library database to be accessed while Twitter API needs to be accessed by request. Twitter API is based on JSON while Java API comes in a Java Dev kit.
  3. I use a broker app called Voyager to purchase crypto and lock it up for APY. My financial info is stored on the main server. Whenever I desire to purchase crypto I hit the purchase button, I go through the various confirmations, and my crypto arrives in my wallet. I also have the cash app that functions somewhat similarly. Although they both have different server functions, I still know the functionality of the buttons, requests and commands.
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#379

1) What is an API? Application Programming Interface. A way to programmatically interact with a separate software component or resource. Ie. A way for company A software to communicate and integrate with company B software without the need to understand each other’s codes. A shortcut by removing complexity.

2) In the article the author compares Java API to Twitter API. What is the main difference between these two APIs? The difference between Java API and Twitter API is that Twitter API is web based and needs to be accessed via the internet whereas Java API comes with the Java development kit.

3) The section in the article about abstraction is important, try to understand it and write down an abstraction from your daily life. Uber eats home delivery produces the meal I want instead of buying the ingredients, cutting, preparing, cooking to produce the meal

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#380
  1. API can be defined as a specification of all possible interactions with different types of software components.
  2. Java API is a generic list of predefined commands available.
    Twitter API is web based and available only to users of the app. It can be described as both the specified interfaces as well as the actual software users interact with.
  3. Abstraction from daily life - when I go through ticket gates on the underground, I can tap my bank card on the yellow circle and they open. The correct amount of money for the journey is deducted from my account.
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#381
  1. Application programming interfaces hide complexity from developers, extend systems to partners, organize code, and make components reusable.
  2. Twitter API is web-based and allows interaction with data.
  3. Using uber app vs. traditional taxi. With ordering a uber I get best price, route, payment, timing, recept via e-mail, all with a couple of touches on a phone vs. going to a designated taxi place, hustle for price, payment with credit card or cash, printing of receipt etc.
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#382

1) What is an API?
“application programming interface” an interface that simplifies the interaction between the front and the back end.

2) In the article the author compares Java API to Twitter API. What is the main difference between these two APIs?
Java API is an “out of the box” solution that allows for common tasks to be handled easily.
Twitter API is a hosted solution that requires requests to the service, which provides responses via JSON for applications to parse.

3) The section in the article about abstraction is important, try to understand it and write down an abstraction from your daily life.
Training my daughter over the years that “Get Up” means, wake up, get out of bed, have a shower, brush your teeth, get dressed, have breakfast and face the world!

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#383
  1. What is an API?

Application Programming Interface - An API is defined as a specification of possible interactions with a software component.

  1. In the article the author compares Java API to Twitter API. What is the main difference between these two APIs?

The Java API describes the functionality of the programming language JAVA (Java Development Toolkit). The twitter API ist a REST based API and describes the interface of the web service.

  1. The section in the article about abstraction is important, try to understand it and write down an abstraction from your daily life.

With my smart home system I can click a button to turn off all lights and switch off all standby devices

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