API

oxford
views updated May 23 2018

API Abbrev. for application programming interface. An interface that is defined in terms of a set of functions and procedures, and enables a program to gain access to facilities within an application. A typical example would be a CASE tool that provides an API to enable users to develop special programs to utilize the information within the CASE tool's internal database. The use of such facilities enables users to customize the application for their own purposes and to integrate the application into a customized development environment.

A Dictionary of Computing JOHN DAINTITH

API

oxford
views updated May 29 2018

API air-pollution index
• air-position indicator
• American Petroleum Institute (see also API scale)
• Computing application programmer interface
• Association phonétique internationale (French: International Phonetic Association)
• atmospheric pressure ionization

The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH

More From encyclopedia.com