JC0133

Senior member
Nov 2, 2010
201
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What is an API and what programming language is good to learn to write code for this?
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
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API stands for Application Programming Interface, and is basically a set of interfaces that allow a programmer to use some functionality provided by a piece of code. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_programming_interface

Your other question is however extremely vague. There are many APIs out there. There's the Windows API, .net API, Java API, iOS API, POSIX API, ajax APIs etc. etc. probably hundreds if not thousands of these, and they each are used with a different set of languages. You are going to have to provide more context information.
 

Ichinisan

Lifer
Oct 9, 2002
28,298
1,236
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An example is any software application for any operating system. It uses the operating system's APIs to create forms (windows) with buttons and other controls. Applications use the OS's APIs to trigger standard dialog boxes like File-Open and File-Save.
 

Markbnj

Elite Member <br>Moderator Emeritus
Moderator
Sep 16, 2005
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www.markbetz.net
I believe it qualifies as the second most general term in software engineering, right below 'Program.'