Ask HN: How would I go about creating my own platform API?

1 points by jhacks 13 years ago | 2 comments

It might be one of those questions where "if you have to ask, don't do it" but just curious. I'm looking to create an API that creates a platform for others to create their own apps within mine. For now, I am providing the basic functionality, but would be at some point in the future enable others to create within my platform.

Just curious as to how this is approached. I'm a frontend developer and only a beginner with Rails, so just providing basic functionality myself for now. However, it doesn't hurt to learn... even if it's too much work to bother with at this moment.

kaplanm99 13 years ago |

So what would value would your platform provide that people would want to use it? I'd advise looking for a problem to solve and then thinking about the solution from there.

jhacks 13 years ago | |

I am solving a problem. It's a video chat platform. The basic functionality I can provide and it's enough to solve the issue. However, I am always thinking ahead... sometimes too far off ahead, but I recognize when something is not currently pertinent. This isn't pertinent currently. However, I still would love do what Google does with their Hangouts, and enable others to create apps for my platform.