What is an API in iOS development?

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What is an API in iOS development?

I understand that an API (application programming interface) is used to interface and communicate with someone else's code. What is an example of an API in iOS development--frameworks, specific methods (functions), or is Cocoa Touch one API with a collection of methods?

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Mar 9, 2011 8:17 AM

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Answer 1

K T

Level 7

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Mar 9, 2011 8:59 AM in response to kp.ramen

https://devforums.apple.com/community/ios

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Answer 2

Mar 9, 2011 10:55 AM in response to kp.ramen

The meaning of API is no different in iOS than any other environment. It's a generic term referring to the published means by which one can access or use a resource in a computer program.

Frameworks, libraries, network protocols, file formats, etc. all may have APIs. For example, for and XML document, the Document Object Model specification is an API. CocoaTouch is an API, as are parts of the POSIX standard. C and Objective-C provide their own core APIs as well.

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