The use of API (application program interface) services have actually been here for years, but they have been here in very obscure usage.  When AJAX applications or old-school DHTML type client side mark ups are in place, the DOM (document object model) API is accessed.  In this case, web pages get manipulated and it often goes unseen.  The web buzz over the last couple years has been the integration of APIs services from major web platforms such as Google Maps, YouTube, Amazon, Ebay, PayPal, and many more.  These major web brands are effectivly opening up their vast arrays of content for website owners to utilize on their own sites.  This means all kinds of great things for developers and website owners.  Many of these API protocols can be effectively “mashed up” to offer deep content and functionality.  Payment gateways are other API usages that are becoming very common and a great way for ecommerce sites to handle the checkout end of things.  PayPal and Google Checkout have pioneered this trend allowing their credit card and payment services to be embedded within your website.  This approach of using APIs services for checkout, provides far less technical barrier to entry than does the complete setup of an SSL layer.  As we read this text new and exciting API services are being created and offered up for your website.

Creating an area for website users to login and conduct website related activities is one of the most common requests we hear from website owners.  This is best achieved by using PHP and MySQL database.  PHP (Pre Prosser Hypertext) is able to create secure sessions in the browser making for an area that requires authentication.  PHP works with MySQL to match user data with corresponding authentication requirements to log users in with the use of Cookies and Sessions.  Once users are logged in, they can then, within a relatively secure environment access information provided to their users area via MySQL.  There are many applications for a user login, but all require a scripting language and a web based database.