Tumblr API Tutorial and Ways to Use It
The Tumblr API is partly
responsible for the great many third party applications that have cropped up
since its creation. There are plenty of
iPhone applications that may be used with Tumblr, as well as dozens of web
services, so the area for creators to “play” with is quite large.
So what is the Tumblr
API? It is a tool that allows developers
(beginner and advanced) to create apps for use with Tumblr. For example you may create an app for Tumblr
that will automatically post your Tumblr posts onto Facebook at the same
time. All you will need is a basic
understanding of XML and PHP. Obviously,
the stronger are your developer skills, then the easier it is, and the more
room you have to expand.
We are currently on our
second version of the Tumblr API. There
are quite a few differences from the old one such as how you may now upload
multiple images/pictures/photos to be able to post Photosets. You can also pull up a blogs description,
last update date and avatar details.
They have consolidated
all of the API access to: api.tumblr.com
Instead of the API making
a distinction between the write and read operations and pushing you from domain
to domain, you will now operate from api.tumblr.com. The singular port of access is also better
for measuring traffic/use.
Developers will find it
easier to experiment and develop with the API without having to search through
documentation to find ways of achieving what they are aiming for. The URLs will now follow a certain pattern
that developers will better easily guess because they follow a distinct
pattern. There are still times when
developers will need an exact definition of something but hopefully the
occasions will be few and far between.
The developers of the API have gone out of their way to make the API
easier to use, with less need to go digging through documentation, however,
they do admit that they will keep updating it, to make it easy, and that they
are not 100% “there” in making this as sleek and user-friendly as they desire.
As for Tutorials, all you
need to do is grab an OAuth key, which is basically registering to use the
application. Once you have the API key,
then all you need to do is hop on the API and use your XML and PHP skills to
start cranking out some Tumblr Apps.
