Programming Social Applications

The OpenSocial REST API Libraries

Complementing the OpenSocial client-side JavaScript API are the OpenSocial REST client libraries for server-to-server communication. These are a series of server-side APIs for accessing a user’s social data much like we would from the JavaScript layer.

Warning

Even though we are talking about the OpenSocial REST APIs for the sake of completeness, it’s important to note that their support on current providers that allow their use is divided and may not be entirely implemented. New providers may wish to use these libraries as a means of building quick APIs for their platforms, but application developers should use APIs set up by the provider, OpenSocial JavaScript, or OAuth for implementations.

Although many provider implementations of these APIs are not complete (if implemented), they are a great starting point for those who wish to set up their own OpenSocial container. Instead of expending the effort to design and develop custom APIs for your platform, consider these libraries, which are available in many popular languages and are a great way to build a quick implementation with community support.