1: Introduction
Abstract
The first chapter defines what an application programming interface (API) is with various examples and describes how an API is represented in C++. This chapter details the difference between API development and standard application development and enumerates the benefits of APIs in software development, such as producing more robust code, encouraging code reuse, and enabling parallel development. The various layers of APIs within a modern application are described, with specific reference to a large open source client/server program. The relationship of the terms API and software development kit is explained, as is the relationship among APIs, file formats, and network protocols.
Keywords
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