Mashup
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History
Technology
Web 2.0 embodies the belief that the World Wide Web is breaking away from its origins and evolving into the next stage of human interaction with a computer and the global community. The concept encourages collaboration, reusability, personalization and standardization, which are properties that have fostered the development of mashups – one of the many trends in Web 2.0 (others include blogging, wikis, podcasting, etc). Gradually, the Web is becoming a distribution network of content and service.
API
An Application Programming Interface (API) enables the creation of a web-based mashup by providing a means of gaining access (rules and procedures) to an application or content e.g. Google Maps. This allows for compatible software. APIs should be made as simple as possible if their use is to be encouraged. Popular websites that offer open APIs (APIs that are accessible to the general public) include Amazon.com, AOL, eBay, Google, MapQuest, MSN, Shopping.com, UPS.com, US Postal service.
The contents of a web site that lacks an open API can still be accessed via a process referred to as screen scraping, in which unstructured text is pulled from a website.