Mashup

What is a Mashup?


A mashup is a website or web application that seamlessly combines content from more than one source into an integrated experience.Content used in mashups is typically sourced from a third party via a public interface or API. Other methods of sourcing content for mashups include Web feeds (e.g. RSS or Atom) and JavaScript.Many people are experimenting with mashups using eBay, Amazon, Google, and Yahoos APIs. The increased use and popularity of mashups has increased with the emergence of Web 2.0, which is characterized by active user participation and interaction.The architecture of mashup web applications is always composed of three parts:• The content provider: it is the source of the data. Data is made available using an API and different Web-protocols such as RSS, REST, and Web Service• The mashup site: is the web application that provides the new service using different data sources that are not owned by it.• The client web browser: is the user interface of the mashup. In a web-application, the content can be mashed by the client web browsers using client side web language for example JavaScript.Types of Mashups:There are many types of mashups, such as consumer mashups, data mashups, and business mashups. Consumer mashups: Consumer mashups combine different forms of media from multiple sources and combine them into a single graphical interface. Consumer mashups are aimed at the general public, that is, consumers. Examples of consumer mashups include the many Google Maps applications, iGuide and Radioclouds.Data mashups:Data mashups combine similar types of media and information from multiple sources into a single graphical representation. An example of a data mashup is the Havaria Information Services' AlertMap. which combines current data from over 200 sources related to severe weather conditions, biohazard threats and seismic information from around the world, and displays them on a single map of the world. Another example of a data mashup is Yahoo PipesBusiness mashups:Business mashups focus on various forms of data aggregation into a single presentation, but also allow for collaborative function ability amongst businesses and developers. Serena Software is a company involved in the business mashup industry.