We’re getting closer to a fully developed REST API when WordPress 4.7 is released on December 6. The vision of WordPress being a platform for building just about anything becomes a reality with 4.7.
We expect WordPress 4.7 to move closer to a fully developed REST API. This is an interface that makes it easy to connect a WordPress site with any software application regardless of the programming language.
With WordPress 4.7 it will be possible to access all data via the REST API:
- Posts and pages
- Comments, pingbacks and trackbacks
- Users
- Meta-data
- Settings
The REST API standardizes WordPress core functions and how other applications can call WordPress. This means that WordPress becomes easy to integrate with applications built with other programming languages such as JavaScript, Ruby, Python, and Go. It also makes it easier to integrate WordPress with existing services such as Slack.
Behind the introduction of the REST API is the vision to make WordPress a platform for any application. It reduces WordPress’ dependency on PHP and makes it possible for almost any developer to work with WordPress.
Examples of what can be done with the WordPress REST API:
- Fully integrate WordPress with mobile operating systems like Android and iOS and turn WordPress into a backend for mobile apps.
- Bonnier Magazines has leveraged the WordPress REST API to easily build apps for all their brands. Once the framework was in place, they can build an app in 20 hours.
- Wired magazine sends content to the third-party Apple News app, which is built with JavaScript, via the REST API.
- The New York Times has built a dedicated admin panel in JavaScript for its news blog via the REST API to allow journalists to publish posts on breaking news more quickly. Via the REST API, they can quickly copy content from Slack, for example, without having to switch systems.
- WordPress.com’s admin panel Calypso is built in JavaScript and communicates with WordPress via REST API.
The release of the REST API strengthens WordPress and makes it both easier and cheaper to develop advanced web applications. We’re sure to see more standalone admin panels that make work easier for WordPress editors. And connecting WordPress to standalone apps is another area where the REST API will play a role.