One of the questions we get asked the most at the Open Mobility Foundation (OMF) is a basic, but often mis-understood one: What’s an API — especially in the context of OMF’s work?
We decided to make a quick, high-level primer on the foundational tools and concepts that lie at the heart of our work at OMF. Watch this 15-minute primer to learn about the importance of standardized data for efficient, scalable, and transparent curbside management.
APIs (or application programming interface) are digital tools that allow different computer systems to communicate with one another by sending and receiving small pieces of data. APIs are a crucial part of our work at the OMF. By creating and stewarding a data specification like the Curb Data Specification (CDS), the OMF helps create a shared language for cities, companies, and vendors to use to share real-time curb information.
Understanding the basics of how APIs work — and how they relate to tools like web maps — is crucial to engaging with our work at the OMF. Watch the primer video now, then dive even deeper with more resources.
DEEPER DIVES
Once you’re familiar with the concepts introduced in the video, our CDS 101 webinar and Getting Stared with CDS guide will bring your CDS knowledge to the next step.
To get involved in shaping CDS, you can join the Curb Working Group. Meetings are open to the public. Learn more about upcoming meetings and get info on CDS, potential features, and all other working group activity on our GitHub.
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