02:33
Faizan
Facebook's application programming interface, or "API" for short, allows web developers to integrate Facebook's social tools into their websites. The API key is a numeric value that Facebook scripts and codes require in order to work with the correct application. Without the Facebook API key, many Facebook develop features won't work.
Appearance of the API Key
The Facebook API key is a randomly-generated sequence of numbers Facebook creates whenever you register your application through the site. The API key is always completely numeric in nature and consists of 15 characters, as of July 2011. Don't confuse the API key with the "App Secret," a longer alphanumeric code, or the "Access Token," an extremely long alphanumeric code. In some instances on the site, the API key or the place you need to put it is labeled "App ID."
Where to Find the API Key
The Facebook API key is located in the developer control panel. Access the panel and click the "Apps" button at the top of the screen. Then, choose the name of the application. The API key, which is also labeled as the "App ID," appears at the top of the listing for the application within the "Settings" pane of the screen. Although an "Edit" button exists beside this pane, is not possible to manually edit the API key to something easily memorable.
How to Use an API Key
You use the API key to let Facebook codes and scripts know to call back to your application when they perform their function. Within such codes and scripts, the API key is referred to as an "App ID." After you copy one of these scripts into your website's HTML or PHP documents, make sure to replace the generic API key with which Facebook populates the code with your actual app ID. Otherwise, visitors who attempt to use the feature -- for example, registration using Facebook -- receive an error.
API Keys for Different Apps
One essential piece of information about API keys is that they are unique for every app, even if you develop several apps using the same Facebook account. Using a single API code with social plugins intended for different sites confuses your site's visitors and directs them wrongly, decreasing the chances that they actually benefit from your site's being integrated with Facebook.
Appearance of the API Key
The Facebook API key is a randomly-generated sequence of numbers Facebook creates whenever you register your application through the site. The API key is always completely numeric in nature and consists of 15 characters, as of July 2011. Don't confuse the API key with the "App Secret," a longer alphanumeric code, or the "Access Token," an extremely long alphanumeric code. In some instances on the site, the API key or the place you need to put it is labeled "App ID."
Where to Find the API Key
The Facebook API key is located in the developer control panel. Access the panel and click the "Apps" button at the top of the screen. Then, choose the name of the application. The API key, which is also labeled as the "App ID," appears at the top of the listing for the application within the "Settings" pane of the screen. Although an "Edit" button exists beside this pane, is not possible to manually edit the API key to something easily memorable.
How to Use an API Key
You use the API key to let Facebook codes and scripts know to call back to your application when they perform their function. Within such codes and scripts, the API key is referred to as an "App ID." After you copy one of these scripts into your website's HTML or PHP documents, make sure to replace the generic API key with which Facebook populates the code with your actual app ID. Otherwise, visitors who attempt to use the feature -- for example, registration using Facebook -- receive an error.
API Keys for Different Apps
One essential piece of information about API keys is that they are unique for every app, even if you develop several apps using the same Facebook account. Using a single API code with social plugins intended for different sites confuses your site's visitors and directs them wrongly, decreasing the chances that they actually benefit from your site's being integrated with Facebook.
Posted in: facebook
