Evolution of the API

As more applications offer APIs and integrate their service with others I can see that the way we think about application providers will change.  A recent post on the Box.net blog started me thinking about this.  It seems a fairly obvious direction of travel that we’re moving from running software on client machines to cloud-based applications.  This migration will take time and will not necessarily apply to all types of software.  However, it would be a mistake to assume that the paradigm of discrete software operating in isolation will apply on the cloud.  The way that new services such as Salesforce.com, Dropbox, Evernote, Google Docs  etc. can talk to each other and share information across their platforms is one of their strengths – each can focus on what they do best and draw on others to create a whole that is greater than the sum of the parts.  How this plays out over the next decade is anyone’s guess – there may be consolidation and the Google monster might devour them all or perhaps a thriving ecosystem will emerge based around APIs where the best apps survive.  Whatever happens it will be a stimulating environment for innovators and developers.