enabling developers with open data apis april 14, 2011

Enabling Developers with Open Data APIs

April 14, 2011

Chris MetcalfTechnical Program Manager /

Developer Evangelistchris.metcalf@socrata.com

Takahiko NaitoProgram Manager

hiko@reisys.com

Agenda

• Why developers matter• Current developer challenges• The importance of Open APIs• A brief tour of the new Data.Gov APIs• Application examples

Why Do Developers Matter?

4

• Transform data into services

• Lower costs• Drive innovation• Respond to demand• Increase agility

Examples of innovative Open-Data apps

April 14, 2011

Open Data Apps in Action

Asthmapolis: Croud-sourced Asthma research

http://asthmapolis.com/

Open Data Apps in Action

Oakland Crimespotting: Community crime tracking

http://oakland.crimespotting.org/

Open Data Apps in Action

One Bus Away:Real-time bus departure info

http://www.onebusaway.org

What problems do developers face now?

Data Availability

56%

56% of developers said data was not available

Source: http://benchmarkstudy.socrata.com

Data Quality

55%

When data was available, 55% said it was unusable.

Source: http://benchmarkstudy.socrata.com

Data Formats

Data is locked up in obscure or proprietary formats

Data Updates

Downloadable data is often immediately out of date

How will open APIs help?

April 14, 2011

How will APIs help?

Open data APIs provide:• Standard access methods across datasets• Access to clean, consistent data• Direct access to the data source – No More

Downloading!

Why an “open” API?

Open APIs:• Accelerate developer understanding• Reduce vendor lock in• Encourage community development

Socrata Open Data API

• A consistent API across all agency data sites

• An open, standards-based RESTful API

• Consistent high-performance throughput

• Advanced operations such as filtering and sorting

Developer Resources

To help developers get started:• http://dev.socrata.com• Open-source code samples and

libraries• Full API documentation• App Gallery to promote

applications

Developer resources and online community

OPEN API

Application Gallery

Semantic Web Support

Fast-track onto the Semantic Web:• Semantic typing for hosted

datasets• Create your own resource

hierarchy• RDF access to catalog and

individual datasets

Let’s See It!

Brief DemoAPI Tour

App Examples

Open APIs on Open Data

Open APIs will:• Lower barriers to access• Allow developers to focus on development, not

databases• Provide a uniform API across agencies• Prevent vendor-lock in

Questions?