On Thu, May 29, 2008 at 12:06 AM, bo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I think an API is a small program that lets other programs > communicate with an OS. I did see them described as protocols. I am > not sure which.
Not quite. API is 'Application Programming Interface' and is provided by an application vendor for developers to create 'extensions' to an application using a public programming interface. The API is usually a library that you link to either at compile time or run-time. An API can be provided for different languages, even scripting languages. Operating systems provide a system API, so you can make system calls for things like file I/O, process management, etc. Some applications provide a plugin API, a specified set of functions your plugin must use to be able to run within the host application. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/API > Object oriented I think I understand. It is a programmng method that > uses modules which can be called by a program. This enables the > program to make use of reuse, and code hiding. It makes for a quicker > program. Similar to the subroutines we use to use in programming > basic, but instead of embeding them in the program the OO modules are > separate like DLL files and can be called. From what I understand > API's can be built using OO. Even further off. I'd do a bit more research on what Object-oriented programming is... do a Google search. Have you ever used C++? > The discussion is on why one is better. I said that I didn't think > one was better. The API is used for a different purpose than the > object oriented programming. I don't think that is the answer they > are looking for. They're mutually exclusive -- object-orientation is a programming paradigm used with languages like C++, Python, SmallTalk, etc. An API is just a programming interface. Asking if APIs are better than object-oriented programming is like asking if a wrench is better than a screwdriver. They can be used together and both are useful for solving certain problems, but one isn't "better" than the other. > Am I close? I'd do some more research on both topics if I were you. -- Brett ------------------------------------------------------------ "In the rhythm of music a secret is hidden; If I were to divulge it, it would overturn the world." -- Jelaleddin Rumi
