Re: Esoteric terminological query -- APIs

Subject: Re: Esoteric terminological query -- APIs
From: Andrew Plato <intrepid_es -at- yahoo -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 11:04:46 -0700 (PDT)

> The COM API is not now object oriented, but might become so.
> Its description is in an IDL (Interface Definition Language)
> form, showing which parameters are input, which are output,
> which are both. Its behavior now is much like that described for
> C, but is likely to change to be more like that discussed for
> the Java API.
>
> Has any of you ever had to address this sort of a problem, where
> there are multiple APIs that provide entree to a system/product
> from a family of different protocols/mechanisms/language-milieus?

In reality what you have are three APIs each with a different implementation.
The COM implementation is merely a more robust implementation that is not,
necessarily dependent on a specific language architecture.

I think you're splitting hairs, Guy. You're right, COM does not classify as a
language, but you're more likely to confuse readers if you are constantly
trying to acknowledge this difference. I would refer to each as an
"implementation method" or an "access method" or some unique term. I don't
think using the term "calling architecture" would be bad. Treat COM as an equal
with C and Java.

This is also the problem with single-sourcing. You lose nuance which in
documents like this is absolutely critical. In the API and tech docs I've
written, I purposedly rejected any attempts to single-source because it reduces
my ability as a writer to handle unique and complex concepts.

Andrew Plato

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Messenger - Talk while you surf! It's FREE.
http://im.yahoo.com/

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Learn how to develop HTML-based Help with Macromedia Dreamweaver!
Dec. 7-8, 2000, Orlando, FL -- $100 discount for STC members.
http://www.weisner.com/training/dreamweaver_help.htm or 800-646-9989.

Your web site localized into 32 languages? Maybe not now, but sooner than
you think. Download ForeignExchange's FREE paper, "3 steps to successful
translation management" at http://www.fxtrans.com/3steps.html?tw.

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.


Previous by Author: RE: Writing / Drug Tests
Next by Author: Re: Writing / Drug Tests
Previous by Thread: Re: Esoteric terminological query -- APIs
Next by Thread: RE: Esoteric terminological query -- APIs


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads