Mashups and the API Culture

Thesis examines the current state of development and possible directions for further growth in the creation and use of mashups and hybrid application software that works with the application programming interface (API). At the beginning, the work examines the development of technologies that have enabled the creation of mashups and hybrid applications. The thesis also examines the economic aspects and sets the trend of using the API within the context of reasoning on Web 2.0. Another part deals with the typology of mashups, their division is viewed from several angles: Based on the integration of mashups, data origin, used protocols and functions. Particular attention shall be given to the dominant group of map mashups. Text also outlines the issues that may make reuse of data via the API questionable. This part deals with questions of privacy and surveillance, the issue of protection of virtual property, the risk of application failure or unavailability. The work also includes a practical part, creating an application using the API of Foursquare, a Location Based Service (LBS). Also, the service Foursquare is presented in the context of Location Based Services in general