Application Programming Interface (API)

Application Programming Interface (API) is an older technology that helps exchanging messages or data between two or more different software applications. API is the virtual interface between two inter-working software functions, such as a word processor and a spreadsheet. This technology has been expanded from simple subroutine calls to include features that offer for interoperability and system modifiability in support of the requirement for data sharing between multiple applications. An API is the software that is used to sustain system-level integration of multiple commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software products or newly-developed software into existing or new applications. APIs are also a type of Middleware that offer for data sharing across different platforms; this is an important feature when developing new or upgrading existing distributed systems. This technology is a way to attain the total cross-platform consistency that is a goal of open systems.

An API is a set of rules for writing subroutine calls or function that access functions in a library. Programs that use these rules or functions in their API calls can communicate with any others that use the API, despite of the others' specifics [Hines 96]. APIs work with a wide spectrum of application dialogues to facilitate information exchange. These include database access, client/server, peer-to-peer, event-driven, real-time, store and forward, and transaction processing. APIs combine error recovery, data translation, queuing, security, and naming with an easy-to-learn interface that comprises simple but powerful actions/commands. To raise an API, a program calls a SEND-type function, specifying parameters for destination name, pointers to the data, and return confirmation options. The API takes the data and does all the communications-specific work apparent to the application.

There are four types of APIs that are enablers of data sharing between different software applications on single or distributed platforms and they are Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs), Standard Query Language (SQL), file transfer, message delivery.

Using RPCs, programs communicate through procedures (or tasks) that act on shared data buffers. SQL is a non-procedural data access language that permits data sharing between applications by access into a common database. File transfer lets data sharing by sending formatted files between applications. Message delivery provides data sharing by direct inter-program communications via small formatted messages between loosely- or tightly-coupled applications. Current standards that relates to APIs include the ANSI standard SQL API.

APIs can be developed for all operating systems and computing platforms or purchased for most operating systems and platforms. All four API types can be utilized on homogeneous and multi-platform applications. However, because of the added complexity required to share data across multiple platforms, RPC, SQL or file transfer APIs are better used to help communication between different applications on homogenous platform systems.

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Desktop Management Interface is a specialized system to manage many computers in a very large establishment. The basic component of Desktop Management Interface is the Management Information Format Database (MIFD). The database stores all information on a local computer. Experts say that Desktop Management Interface is nothing more than a set of application programming interfaces or APIs. Thanks to Desktop Management Interface, any computer system can exchange information.
Desktop Management Interface has three different components - service layer, management interface, and component interface. The management interface is a text file that has information on hardware and software. The component interface is an application program interface (API). The service layer acts as a link between management interface and component interface.
Desktop Management Interface comes in handy when you are trying to identify and manage computer components, and is accepted as the ideal desktop methodology. The interface is the storehouse of all information on computers. Desktop Management Interface is the brainchild of a Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF), and has made the jobs of IT managers, technical experts and common users much easier. The innovative and sophisticated Desktop Management Interface helps people get information on processor category, installation dates, maintenance records, power sources, peripherals, etc.
Desktop Management Interface has some extremely advantageous aspects. Vendors and systems integrators can exchange information effectively, and you don’t have to install any particular hardware or operating system to have it running efficiently. You can run the management interface on a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and on non-network computers.