There’s a lot of joy around the WordPress community about the WP REST API latest release.
The WordPress REST API it’s no new. There were plenty of plugins that covered this hole, but, with the release of the latest WordPress version (4.7) is a new addition to the WordPress core and has the potential to change the way we interact with WordPress.

With the WordPress REST API, we can build web, single page apps or mobile applications that powered by WordPress as the powerful CMS it is.

But..

What does API stand for?

API is short for Application Programming Interface. It’s a piece of software that sets clearly defined methods of communication between various software components.

And JSON?

The next acronym stands for JavaScript Object Notation. It’s a format for data exchange based on the JavaScript programming language that has sort of become a de facto standard. God bless 🙏

JSON was the chosen one due that most programming languages can read, write & convert data to JSON structures and vice versa.

It’s probably safe to say that JSON is a common language that almost any software/computer can understand.

Wait! And REST?

Ok, REST is a stand-in for Representational State Transfer. It describes an HTTP-based style of building APIs that is:

• Highly compatible (because it is based on HTTP, an open protocol)
• Developer friendly (we all use REST for almonst any connection with thrid party apps)

Why this bunch of acronyms are the future of WordPress?

For me, there are three main reasons (there are more, but these are the important ones):

1. Mobile integration: With a JSON REST API we can integrate our WordPress backend/CMS with our iPhone/Android/Ionic/Whatever mobile technology without any major friction.
2. We can separate our frontend: and give to the separation of concerns a nice try using (not so) new technologies such as AngularJS, React, EmberJS, Polymer, etc. This helps us giving a new twist to the interface of our sites.
3. We can use WordPress as a real CMS: re-imagining the backend, creating new interfaces for the administration panel and more. The WordPress.com folks released Calypso a few months ago as an example. This is only the first step.

Pixel2HTML to the rescue!

Last, but not least: We are all set up to start working with the WordPress REST API. Our Mobile Team at Pixel2HTML can take care of you multiplatform mobile app.

Feel free to contact us.

We look forward building amazing stuff with WordPress together!