does anyone know what an API key is what its purpose, function and why it is necessary?

Question

On Face Book I am trying to load one of my apps. and it is saying error invalid API key. Well they posted a message saying they are working on it. I was just wondering what it is exactly

Answer 1

It's simply just a unique identifier for your application, or should I say "DNA" or "Fingerprint" to break it down. No one will have the same app as you. All it does is make your application seperate from other applications. Belonging to you and only you.

Answer 2

API Keys are used to distinguish developers who are using an API from a company. Companies such as Google and Facebook have thousands of developers working on applications using their API's.



API Keys have two main uses: One is in tracking usage of the API for the developer's own needs. Google keeps track of how many API keys are in use, how many accesses each API Key has per day and a lot of other information every time you use your API key to access their API. The other main use is security. A company can block API keys for outside developers that they no longer wish to have using their API. This can help to limit bandwidth usage for developers who are taking advantage of the API or other reasons.

Answer 3

The app is trying to get information from the site, or send information to the site, via an API (application programming interface - the way an app talks to the system it runs on). Evidently Facebook "fixed" something so it doesn't work.

Answer 4

good question I have the same problem but why my word-press blog. I believe it some type code that you need to install in your app for it to work properly or add extra features. but it has to be provided by the website.

Answer 5

Application programming interface.