Online Platforms and

Applications
• The term “platform” refers to a program created by developers that can be
modified or reprogrammed by outside users. It is a facility for
programming or developing an application tailored to the user’s
specifications.
• Online platforms – are online Web sites created to aid users in creating
their Web content and cater to different kinds of information such as texts,
images, and videos.
• Unique feature of online platforms is the ability to program, modify, and access the
application remotely using the Internet.
 Platform Categories
• The Application Programming Interface (API)- is a set of governing
protocol or rules on how software elements should communicate and
interact with one another. Commonly, API is used in developing the GUI.
This tool is incorporated into the developed application to enable certain
functions.
 API types and their functions
• Access API – this type of API runs in a remote machine, server, or
computer, and the application is accessed remotely by a guest user
application to draw data and services.
• Creation of the application is left to the host of the said API, as well as the
maintenance, the continuous running, and the standby of the API waiting for users to
access it. The development of this type of API requires financial capabilities and
technical capabilities.
• Plug-in API- most of the time, this API is used in the user end. Generally,
different developers create different applications that can be integrated or
‘plugged in’ to a core application and/or the GUI of these applications.
• Typical examples are the plug-in programs for Web browsers that enable different
functions such as applications for playing video clips and video games.
• Runtime Environment- these API’s are platforms for developing different
applications, wherein programs or application codes are evaluated and
compiled in the said API’s.
• the application codes are uploaded or injected into the API and the API will test and
run the application code. Most of the time, this API is hosted in a remote area and
requires the services of the Internet.
• YouTube – is a Web site dedicated to hosting video clips. Users can create
an account on YouTube and upload videos for public viewing. Most of the
Web sites integrate videos into other developing Web sites. To capitalize
this Web site, an API tool is created to enable developers to embed the
YouTube video player and play any Youtube content on their Web sites.
• Flickr – is a web site that caters to the hosting of images. Users of the site
create a private account wherein they can upload images and categorize
the images as to whether they are viewed privately by the uploader or by
the public. An API is created to enable a Web site developer to embed or
use images on Flickr. Also, the images slide player API of Flickr can
further organize the presentation of images in a slide show fashion.
• Twitter – is a social media networking service that enables users to send
and read short messages with 140 characters. These short messages are
called tweets. Twitter API’s are used by developers to embed Twitter
functions in developing Web sites. Commonly, in using Twitter API, users
can find a facility to create messages and tweet those messages.
Furthermore, there are Web sites using Twitter API to display information
or messages from a certain user commonly governing those Twitter
accounts.
• Facebook – is a social networking Web site that requires the user to register an
account and create a user profile. A profile contains the information about the
owner of the account such as his or her birthday, location, work, and education.
Different users can then connect with one another by adding them as “friends”.
On this Web site, users are also capable of posting information on their “wall”
or the page that contains the users’ information. Also, users can post images,
videos, and Web site links on their wall. Facebook API’s are used to connect an
individual’s wall or organization’s Facebook account so that the audience and
users can easily access Facebook services connected to a Facebook account.
• Google Maps – Google Maps APIs are one of the most APIs by Web site
developers. Commonly, Google Maps APIs are used to indicate a location
of an establishment described on a Web site. These APIs enable the
developers to display an accurate map depicting the satellite views or the
actual appearance and layout of roads and buildings in a particular area.
 Reflection Upon
In your own opinion, how can’t these online platforms be of use in raising
awareness of important societal and environmental issues for the people?
 What Have I Learned So Far?
1. Create a list of online platforms you use or visit frequently. What are the
kinds of content that you can create using these online platforms?
2. Categorize these platforms according to the APIs they use.