IN THIS CHAPTER

You can use Google to search the Web. You can use Google to search for data stored on your own computer. You can use Google to search for data stored on a corporate network. But did you know you can use Google within custom-developed software and web-based applications?

That’s right. If you’re a software developer, you can incorporate Google search into the programs you write. That’s because Google makes its Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) available for public use. Developers can use the Google APIs when they’re writing their own program code, and thus tie their programs into all types of Google data.

The reality is that Google is very open about sharing its data and services with the developer community. Google publishes APIs for virtually all of its services, so that you can develop your own Google Desktop sidebar gadgets, or publish your own custom Google maps, or display your own custom interface to create Google Calendar events on your website.

Google’s support of third-party developers is a very good thing, and it makes Google’s services that much more usable. Read on to learn more.