What is an API and OAI-PMH?

What is an API?

‍API stands for: Application Programming Interface.

APIs are sets of requirements that govern how one application can talk to another. So, whenever you use your laptop, APIs are - more than likely - making it possible to move information between programs.

For more information about what an API is, here are some video guides:

• Summary: What is an API?
• Examples: REST API concepts and examples

Figshare supports an open API. For more information please visit: https://figshare.com/blog/Open_API_and_Lab_Folder_OSF/119

For information about how to use these, please visit our API documentation.

What is OAI-PMH?

‍This is a service which gives a simple technical option for data providers to make their metadata available to services, based on the open standards HTTP (Hypertext Transport Protocol) and XML (Extensible Markup Language). For more information please visit: https://www.openarchives.org/pmh/

figshare supports OAI-PMH.

All documentation for both the API and OAI-PMH can be found in our API documentation.

If you would like more information, please get in contact by creating a support ticket or emailing us at info@figshare.com, we'd be happy to help!

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