This document introduces APIs and how they are used by developers. It explains that APIs allow programs to interact with other applications and services to access useful data and functionality. Developers can use APIs by making HTTP requests to consume data and build their own applications. The document provides examples of popular APIs like Google Maps, Twilio, and Meetup that developers integrate into their applications. It also discusses the differences between making API calls and using webhooks to receive automatic notifications from a service.

1. APIs
(for beginners)
@ssaunier

2. Application
Programming
Interface

3. an
used by
with an
Interface
Programs to interact
Application

4. Application

5. (User) Interface

6. Program

7. No (direct)
human usage
of APIs

8. Developers

9. APIs expose
something useful

10. API

11. Developers
write Programs
which consumes APIs

12. API Consumption

13. Web APIs

14. http://www.programmableweb.com/category/all/apis

15. Google Maps JS API

16. AirBnB

17. Twilio API

18. UBER

19. As a developer,

20. I need GPS coordinates
of venues to show next
gigs in town on a map

21. Timeout content manager
don’t know
GPS coordinates of venues

22. Timeout content manager
won’t manually enter
GPS coordinates of venues

23. Timeout content manager
will enter venue addresses

24. There’s an API for that

25. Google Geocoding API
developers.google.com/maps/documentation/geocoding/

26. 10 Downing St, London

27. 10 Downing St, London
{
"location" : {
"lat" : 51.5034066,
"lng" : -0.1275923
}
} This is called JSON

28. How does it work?

29. API call is an HTTP request

30. https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json?address=10 Downing St, London

31. When do we call the API?

35. Timeout Server
did the API call
not you,
neither your browser

36. Timeout Server
did the API call
not you,
neither your browser

37. APIs are consumed by programs
(not humans)

38. Are we done?

39. Raw GPS coordinates

41. Developer should now
integrate the
Google Maps JS API
JS stands for JavaScript here

42. Let’s look at some code

43. I want the app to
send text messages
if a gig is cancelled

44. Step 1 - Sign up to Twilio

45. Step 2 - Fetch credentials

46. Step 3 - Write some ruby
require 'twilio-ruby'
account_sid = 'AC__________'
auth_token = '_____________'
client = Twilio::REST::Client.new(account_sid, auth_token)
client.messages.create(
from: '+336123456789',
to: '+3370000000000',
body: 'Hi buddy, you should attend Le Wagon!'
)

47. Step 4 - Run code

48. Your program sent a text!

49. WEBHOOKS
(API )-1

51. Every 10 seconds,
call the API to fetch list of
Meetup attendees

52. Don’t call us, we’ll call you
Hollywood Principle

53. Meetup, please
call my server
as soon as
a new member has RSVP’d
Webhook

54. myapp.com/member_rsvpd
For incoming requests

55. Webhook vs API call
Meetup My app
WEBHOOK
API Call

56. META

57. Let’s take an example,

58. Wufoo form to capture leads
Trello for my sales team
Lead Management

59. WEBHOOK
Service A pushes data
as soon as available
API
Service B exposes methods
to read, create or update data

60. WEBHOOK
Wufoo pushes form entries
as soon as captured
API
Trello exposes methods
to create new cards

61. Introducing Zapier

63. Zapier

64. Demo

65. When you’ll hit
Zapier's limit, come
learn to code at
Le Wagon!

66. Thank you!

67. Going further
http://www.slideshare.net/welkaim/api-part-1-introduction-to-technology-and-business-models

68. Photo Credits
• http://pixabay.com/en/phone-dial-old-arrangement-499991/
• https://www.flickr.com/photos/knowledge-test/10359484896/
• http://www.gentside.com/wall-e/wallpaper/page_4.html
• https://www.flickr.com/photos/cgc76/13637753574
• https://www.flickr.com/photos/nori_n/271373399
• https://www.flickr.com/photos/jnyemb/5225841771
• https://www.flickr.com/photos/booleansplit/5527628335
• https://www.flickr.com/photos/lizhaslam/13257286833
• https://www.flickr.com/photos/armandfrasco/8741186
• https://www.flickr.com/photos/photobunny_earl/2239452148
• https://www.flickr.com/photos/89228431@N06/11221050956