Are you a beginner using our API…Why PHP? January 25, 2008
Posted by Sonia Chen in api, reseller hosting.add a comment
The API is a chunk of software code which is in the form of a series of XML messages where in each XML message corresponds to a different function of the remote service situated elsewhere. Its very important (especially for new users) that the API used should be easy to integrate, and at the same time be available in various languages to cater to a larger number of people. Thus, we offer our API in various popular programming languages, PHP being one of the most common.
PHP is a server-side, HTML-embedded scripting language, which means that choosing PHP as your implementation language allows you to build a dynamically-generated web page quickly and easily. The fundamental design of the PHP language has been that it is simple to use, even for non-programmers. Also, it is available for most operating systems and Web servers, and can access most common databases, including MySQL.
Some reasons why PHP is preferred by so many of our Resellers are:
- They can speed up the application development process by easily integrating remote tools and systems.
- They don’t have to pay for several different software applications and the hardware to make them all work.
- If they are already good with HTML, they leverage all the existing know-how about PHP – just plug the PHP kit and get started.
- Since all PHP code is executed at the server, with the client only receiving the results of the script, the users never see the PHP source code because it is never sent to them.
- PHP uses a blend of interpretation and compilation in order to provide the best mix of performance and flexibility to our Resellers.
- It also has great output buffering features that further allow increased control over the flow of output. Adding features is quick and easy.
- Because PHP is open source, it is solid and is constantly being improved by many of our experienced programmers.
- Also, it is currently available for all major platforms.
Not taking anything away from the other languages we offer the API in (Perl, Java and ASP.NET), I’ve personally always preferred PHP…
API – What, Why and How January 22, 2008
Posted by Sonia Chen in api.add a comment
What
API stands for “Application Program Interface,” or “Application Programming Interface.” An API allows you to use predefined functions to interact with the platform, instead of writing them from scratch.
The IDigitalNet API comprises of ready to use Application Kits complete with examples and sample codes, which can be simply placed in your website code, in order to make remote calls to our system from your website applications.
Why
If you want to use your own Websites and/or Control Panels to sell IDigitalnet Products and Services, then the API is the way to go.
An important feature or rather an advantage of using the API is that you can bundle products & services as per your business needs. For example, the API allows you to give your Customers discounts based on purchasing more than one Product – simply put, you charge your Customer say $8.49 for purchasing just a Domain Name, but then charge him a lower amount if her purchases any additional Product.
Another important use of the API is that you can sell your own Hosting (or any other Product) and at the same time include some of IDigitalNet’s Products and Services in your Product list.
Do I need to have a technical team at my end to integrate my website via the API ?
If you are equipped to handle your own coding, you wouldn’t need a development team i.e. if you have your hands roughed up on any one of the Languages we offer our API in, you are all raring to go. To elaborate this further, the API is meant for use of those Resellers who
- have designed their own interfaces for their existing Products and Services,
- have some experience working with SOAP, and
- have the know-how of one of the programming languages the API Kits are available in.
How
In a nutshell, the integration process consists of four basic steps – start off with Downloading the API Kits from IDigitalNet Knowledgebase, then Modify the code and add your Reseller credentials to the API, once done with this, Upload the modified files on to your Servers and finally Test the functionality by running the example scripts. An aspect that goes one step ahead in order to achieve all this and to make Resellers’ experience hassle free is the availability of a dedicated API manager for every Reseller who wishes to integrate the API. Feel free to drop in a line to your Account Manager, or simply mail in to reseller@idigitalnet.com for any information or integration assistance.
