APPLICATION PROGRAM INTERFACE
\ˌaplɪkˈe͡ɪʃən pɹˈə͡ʊɡɹam ˈɪntəfˌe͡ɪs], \ˌaplɪkˈeɪʃən pɹˈəʊɡɹam ˈɪntəfˌeɪs], \ˌa_p_l_ɪ_k_ˈeɪ_ʃ_ə_n p_ɹ_ˈəʊ_ɡ_ɹ_a_m ˈɪ_n_t_ə_f_ˌeɪ_s]\
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(API, or "application programming interface")The interface (calling conventions) by which an applicationprogram accesses operating system and other services. AnAPI is defined at source code level and provides a level ofabstraction between the application and the kernel (orother privileged utilities) to ensure the portability of thecode.An API can also provide an interface between a high levellanguage and lower level utilities and services which werewritten without consideration for the calling conventionssupported by compiled languages. In this case, the API's maintask may be the translation of parameter lists from one formatto another and the interpretation of call-by-value andcall-by-reference arguments in one or both directions.
By Denis Howe
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Nearby Words
- application lifecycle management
- application of funds
- application package
- application portability architecture
- application program
- Application Program Interface
- application protocol data unit
- application server
- application service element
- application service provider
- application service provider (asp)