Here are the things I'm confused about:
How are APIs not language specific. I code Java and C++, both OOP languages. So.... what if you communicated with an API that didn't have objects? Like let's say Google. Lets say I want to call an API function which returns any new emails in my inbox since it was last checked. It can't just return a string. It would return an EmailLetter object or something. But what if I was using LUA or something. I just don't understand how it's possible.
Can all languages use all APIs? If no, where is the line drawn? Surely a low level language cannot use a high level API.
I've heard of JSON before. How does it work?
Do I have to 'download' an API? How do I get my eclipse/whatever ide to recognize functions and such from the API?
Are there any really basic apis to work with to get used to it? I tried googles for gmail and I couldn't even figure out how to download / use it.
Lets say I want to access data from a private website. Instead of trying to read the source code for their website, do I contact them and hope they send me an API? Is there danger in doing this? Do they have to 'make' an API?
how are apis made? What software is used and how are they notated ? How do you give peoollr access to your api without jeopardizing your intellectual property?
Thanks guys. Also if anyone knows how to make programs communicate with any one of blizzards games, whether by API or other methods, pm me!