The Basics of Building Facebook Applications

The ubiquity of Facebook is hard to ignore.  It startedlayers upon layers of detailed information and it is
as a local service that helped college students connectcertainly in the best interests of the developer to
and has expanded into a worldwide phenomenon withbecome familiar with FBML and API.  Indeed, FBML
millions of users accessing Facebook and associatedand API allow you to manipulate a lot of this
applications every day.  The size of the Facebookinformation so a more in-depth understanding of these
audience makes it a compelling platform fortools and the terminology used on the site. 
developers as does the versatility of the site.  ThereExperienced Facebook users, for example, will know
are a wide range of applications already being used onthe difference between the News Feed and your
Facebook and the possibilities for new applications areProfile page and so should developers.
limited only to the developer’s imagination.  SoStep-by-Step Guidelines for Creating an Application
let’s discuss some of the basics when it comes toAt this point, let’s discuss briefly the stages involved
building Facebook applications.in building a Facebook application.  Of course you’ll
In the Beginningneed to get the Facebook Developer Application to
Any developer who is hoping to write or installbegin but from here there are some basic principles
Facebook applications must first have his or her ownthat should help guide you through the process.
Facebook account and then must install the developer1. To begin setting up a new application select the
application.  Facebook’s developer application“Set Up New Application” option in the
allows you to create, monitor, and configuredeveloper application.  You’ll want to name your
applications.  In addition, you’ll need to secureapplication and you’ll also need to accept the
yourself a server as Facebook applications run formTerms of Service.  Your API key is used so that
the developer’s server.  The benefit of this is thatFacebook can recognize your application and your
you can write the application in whichever languageapplication secret are used so that Facebook can
you know best.  For the sake of simplicity, examplesauthenticate your requests.  Choose a secret that is
in this article will use PHP but the process is the sameeasy to remember and also difficult to hack as you
regardless of the language you use.would with any online password.
Once you have your Facebook account, have2. The next step involves configuring a number of
downloaded the developer application, and have yoursettings before starting to write code.  Under the
server ready to go, you’ll be ready to start“Edit Settings” section you can enter support
developing your own applications.  Still, having a bit ofand contact information, including your email address.
understanding of the Facebook platform will help you3. A callback URL is required and this would need to
during the creative process.  First and foremost, thebe the address where your application is stored on the
fundamental components of Facebook are clearlyserver.
outlined on their developer site.  Essentially, the4. A canvas page URL is also required and this tells us
platform is made up of three parts: API, FBML, andwhere your application is stored on Facebook. 
FQL.  Of course, APIs determine the ways in whichDevelopers usually want to match their canvas page
you can connect to and interact with Facebook. URL with their application name so that it’s easy to
FBML is the custom Facebook markup languageremember for users.  This URL must be a minimum
which has basically be modeled around HTML.  Whileof 7 characters long and can include only letters,
similar to Coldfusion or ASP.NET and associateddashes, and underscores.
tag-based syntax, FBML helps you to define the5. Next, Facebook will ask you whether your
pages of your application specifically for the Facebookapplication can be added on Facebook, obviously
Platform.  And finally, FQL is the Facebook Queryyou’ll want to say “Yes.”
Language which is also a customized developer6. To continue developing your application click
language for Facebook that is based on SQL.  FQL is“Save and Continue.”
especially useful when there are no helper methods inWhile these are the most basic steps for creating a
the API but can also be used for tags in FBML givingsimple application, configuring your application to your
developers an incredible amount of control over thehost still needs to be completed.  Nevertheless,
details of their application.experienced developers will find it an extremely
Facebook Development Tools and Resourcesstraight forward exercise to develop Facebook
Like any development applications, Facebook featuresapplications.  The process is streamlined and simple
a range of tools and resources that can helpso as to encourage the addition of new, interesting,
developers in a number of ways.  Apart from theand interactive applications from a broad developer
core documentation, tools can also help you debugcommunity.  Regardless of culture, language, or
raw API calls or tweak the FQL.  With Facebooklocation applications can be easily uploaded for the
resources you’ll find a collection of libraries for PHPenjoyment of the massive Facebook audience.
and Java as well as links to other libraries likeMoonrise  Productions is a full services San Francisco
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Ruby.  In addition, Facebook has an ever-expandingservices, social network web development,
community wiki that can help answer any questionsecommerce development, social network hosting and
you may have about the details of developingmore. With New York, San Diego, San Francisco and
Facebook applications.  Because Facebook is a fairlya Los Angeles presence no  matter where you are,
complicated social media network, pages often featurewe've got people to serve you.