An application programming interface (API) is the specification for which software is meant to be used by other software.
275
votes
34answers
59k views
How do I create my own programming language and a compiler for it
I am thorough with programming and have come across languages including BASIC, FORTRAN, COBOL, LISP, LOGO, Java, C++, C, MATLAB, Mathematica, Python, Ruby, Perl, JavaScript, Assembly and so on. I ...
61
votes
10answers
4k views
What's the difference between an API and an SDK?
I was looking through various APIs and SDKs, when I realized that I couldn't really tell the difference between something called an API and something called an SDK. Both of them are, conceptually, a ...
45
votes
4answers
1k views
Why were Java collections implemented with “optional methods” in the interface?
During my first implementation extending the Java collection framework, I was quite surprised to see that the collection interface contains methods declared as optional. The implementer is expected ...
43
votes
13answers
16k views
Why aren't more desktop apps written with Qt?
As far as I know and have understood in my experience with Qt, it's a very good and easy to learn library. It has a very well designed API and is cross-platform, and these are just two of the many ...
29
votes
10answers
2k views
How can I write a set of functions that can be invoked from (almost) any programming language?
I'd like to find a way to write an API that can be accessed from any other programming language via language bindings (or some other framework). Is it possible to do this? If so, which programming ...
27
votes
3answers
1k views
What's so bad about the DOM?
I keep hearing people (Crockford in particular) saying the DOM is a terrible API, but not really justifying this statement. Apart from cross-browser inconsistencies, what are some reasons why the DOM ...
22
votes
1answer
587 views
Why have hardware-accelerated vector graphics not taken off?
I'm working on an app that involves real-time manipulation of vector paths at 60fps, and I'm very surprised by how little information there is on the subject. At first, I tried to implement my idea ...
21
votes
9answers
1k views
Interface naming: prefix 'Can-' vs suffix '-Able'
It's common to use '-able' as a suffix for interfaces e.g.
Serializable
Printable
Enumerable
Drinkable
Shootable
Rotatable
I was thinking that 'Can-' might better because it may be more descriptive. ...
21
votes
2answers
890 views
What does it mean to expose a C++ code publicly as a C API and what are the advantages of doing it?
I often hear people say that C++ programmers should expose their library's/product's public API as a C API.
What does that mean and what are the advantages of that?
19
votes
8answers
1k views
“Public APIs are forever: Only one chance to get it right”?
In an OS book I just read that, "Public APIs are forever: Only one chance to get it right". Is it true? Is it applicable only in APIs of Operating Systems or other APIs too? For example, will this be ...
17
votes
2answers
790 views
Should a website use its own public API?
I am starting to write a webservice, and I've built with nodeJS and a RESTfulish approach.
From what I gather:
The advantage is that you don't have to duplicate code.
The disadvantages are that ...
15
votes
11answers
2k views
Is it a really required skill to program without API documentation?
I barely passed my Java programming exam today. I had to answer some general questions about threading which I did well and to write a little threaded program which was worse. I had to connect my ...
14
votes
3answers
398 views
Does decoupling trump DRY in REST?
I am building a REST API to expose most of functionality of an existing Java API. Both APIs are for internal use within my organization; I do not have to design for external use. I have influence ...
12
votes
7answers
692 views
How do you remember numerous API?
I don't come from programming background, I mean I am not a hard core developer. Whatever language features I have learnt are attributed to Selenium test tool (my reasoning is not enough to justify ...
12
votes
4answers
7k views
Web api authentication techniques
We have a asp.net MVC web service framework for serving out xml/json for peoples Get requests but are struggling to figure out the best way (fast, easy, trivial for users coding with javascript or OO ...
