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Editorial Team
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Asked: 2026-05-28T05:15:17+00:00

I am setting up a web service where users can include a dynmically created

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I am setting up a web service where users can include a dynmically created JS file from our server on their site. It presentes content on the users/clients website through the javascript function document.getElementById().innerHTML().

The script on the client’s side is included by:

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.myserver.com/embed/script.js/some,more,parameters">

Users can of course change “some, more, parameters” to specific paremeters that I am explaining on my site.

I called it API Usage, but now I wonder, am I correct using the term “API”. Afaik it mostly describes a request/response where the response is often in JSON/XML format, or SOAP (which really is a protocoll).

I am simply using a html request to a dynamically created JS file, though with certain parameters that response JS source code.

I guess my question is simply: Am I termwise correct of using the term API?

Thanks guys!

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    I consider that an API. You are providing a customizable web service that site owners do not need to host on their sites. The popular Google Maps API also has a JavaScript file that developers include to get them access to maps that become embedded in their site in a similar way that you’re describing.

    If someone does not consider what you are doing an API, it’s more likely they’d call it a widget. Widgets are embeddable bits of HTML and JavaScript that bring content from one site to another.

    There are nearly 300 JavaScript APIs, so you aren’t alone:
    http://www.programmableweb.com/apis/directory/1?protocol=JavaScript

    (Disclosure: I edit ProgrammableWeb)

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