What is the difference between an API , framework and middleware?
Just Randomly got this question in my head! Whats the difference between API , Framework and middleware? Essentially all of them provide abstract low level services to apps. In that case why is dot net called framework and windows API called well.. API?
Answer
An API is an Application Programmer Interface. Its just a term that refers to the methods a programmer will use to interface with the software. For example, a DAO might have a save() method. Save is part of the DAO API. At a high level, you might have an Add User to System functionality. Thats part of the system API.
A framework is a tool or set of tools. For example, Spring is a framework that manages your inversion of control, dependency injection, and provides nifty templates to make your life easier. You use Spring via its API.
Middleware is software that allows a bunch of isolated systems or functionalities to interact. So if you have a website, and a payment system, you use middleware to hookem up.