<programming> (API, or "application programming interface")
	The interface (calling conventions) by which an {application
	program} accesses {operating system} and other services.  An
	API is defined at {source code} level and provides a level of
	{abstraction} between the application and the {kernel} (or
	other privileged utilities) to ensure the {portability} of the
	code.

	An API can also provide an interface between a {high level
	language} and lower level utilities and services which were
	written without consideration for the {calling conventions}
	supported by compiled languages.  In this case, the API's main
	task may be the translation of parameter lists from one format
	to another and the interpretation of {call-by-value} and
	{call-by-reference} arguments in one or both directions.

	(1995-02-15)

1. The art of debugging a blank sheet of paper (or, in these
	days of on-line editing, the art of debugging an empty file).

	2. A pastime similar to banging one's head against a wall, but
	with fewer opportunities for reward.

	3. The most fun you can have with your clothes on (although
	clothes are not mandatory).

	[{Jargon File}]

	(2003-02-12)

<file format> (PDF) The native file format for {Adobe
	Systems}' {Acrobat}.  PDF is the file format for representing
	documents in a manner that is independent of the original
	application software, hardware, and operating system used to
	create those documents.  A PDF file can describe documents
	containing any combination of text, graphics, and images in a
	device-independent and {resolution} independent format.  These
	documents can be one page or thousands of pages, very simple
	or extremely complex with a rich use of {fonts}, graphics,
	colour, and {images}.

	{Home (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/adobepdf.html)}.

	["The Portable Document Format Reference Manual", Adobe
	systems, Inc. Addison-Wesley Publ.  Co., ISBN: 0-201-62628-4].

	(2000-09-08)

In {object-oriented programming} sending a message to an
	{object} (to invoke a {method}) is equivalent to calling a
	{procedure} in traditional programming languages, except that
	the actual code executed may only be selected at run time
	depending on the {class} of the object.  Thus, in response to
	the message "drawSelf", the method code invoked would be
	different if the target object were a circle or a square.

	(1995-02-16)