Introduction to APIs By Roy Moran Computer Engineering Student at UIC @roymoran_ 

Application Programming Interface •  Simply: APIs give your application extra functionality or provide data to enhance the experience of your user •  Slightly more technical: An API is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software and applications 

Popular APIs 

Who  Uses  APIs?   •  Developers – To enhance the experience of their platform and their users •  Business Users – To enhance their value proposition 

Why  Use  an  API?   •  APIs allow you to build and deploy faster – User Registration (FB or Twitter Sign In) – Rating System for an Establishment (Yelp Rating System) •  Your application might need data available from 3rd party •  You don’t always have to reinvent the wheel 

How  to  Use  an  API?   •  Slightly different for each API provider – https://dev.twitter.com/overview/api – https://www.yelp.com/developers – http://www.transitchicago.com/developers/ bustracker.aspx •  Simple HTTP request or complex authentication process 

Simple API – CTA Bus Tracker API 

Simple API – CTA Bus Tracker API 

Simple API – CTA Bus Tracker 

Simple API – CTA Bus Tracker 

Simple API – CTA Bus Tracker 

How Anautomy Uses the Google Search API 

How Anautomy Uses the Google Search API 

How Anautomy Uses the Google Search API 

How Anautomy Uses the Google Search API 

References •  API Definition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Application_programming_interface •  CTA Bus Tracker API http://www.transitchicago.com/developers/ bustracker.aspx •  Anautomy Demo - http://anautomybeta.com/ •  Popular APIs http://www.programmableweb.com/news/most-popular- apis-least-one-will-surprise-you/2014/01/23 

Introduction to APIs By Roy Moran Computer Engineering Student at UIC @roymoran_