What is an API?

[mahela007]

I was trying to find out what tk is (with respect to tkinter) and I regularly came across the words API and "binding". What do they mean?

[Gribouillis]

API means "Application Programming Interface". When you write a piece of software, there may be a human interface (like a GUI) which allows a user to interact with your software and an API interface, which allows a user program to interact with your software. The API is usually a collection of classes and functions which constitute a library.

In the context of GUI programming (like tkinter), "binding" usually means that you attach a function to be executed to a part of a GUI (like a button or a slider), so that if the user presses the button, the function is executed. One says that the function is bound to the button.

[Stefano Mtangoo]

for more info just perruzzi here at wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_programming_interface

Loong explanations that will take you up and running :)

[mahela007]

well.ll they say that tkinter is the python binding for TCL/Tk. What does that mean?

[Gribouillis]

It means that tkinter is the "glue" code necessary to use TCL/Tk's functions from a python program.

[mahela007]

thanks

[Stefano Mtangoo]

Do us a favor,
Mark thread solved. It is yet another good behaviour :D

[mahela007]

how do I do that?

[Stefano Mtangoo]

above the box you typed are blue words "MARK SOLVED"
Just click that link and all is done