Semalt Expert – 2 Interactive Web Scrapers
An API (application programming interface) is the set of subroutine protocols, tools, and definitions for building web applications and data scrapers. It is actually a set of clearly defined methods of communication between different software components. A good API makes it easy for us to develop different computer programs and web scrapers and provides all essential building blocks. APIs are of various forms, and they include specifications for data structures, routines, object classes, remote cells or variables. POSIX, C++Standard Template Library, Java API, and Microsoft Windows API are most famous forms of APIs.
The purpose of an API:
We know that a graphical user interface makes it easy for us to use different programs. Just like that, an application programming interface or API makes it easy for developers and programmers to use different technologies and build web applications and data scrapers. APIs are usually related to the software library. They describe and prescribe the expected behavior (a specification), and a library is an actual implementation of this set of rules. APIs can easily specify the interface between a web application and an operating system. For instance, POSIX can specify the set of common APIs that enable you to write an application for a POSIX conformant operating system.
Two web scrapers for you:
Dexi.io and FMiner are two famous web scrapers. Both of them possess their distinctive APIs and are used to scrape data from a large number of sites.
1. Dexi.io:
Dexi provides us with an automated data intelligence environment. It is one of the most powerful web scrapers on the internet. With Dexi, you can extract information from different web pages, monitor the quality of your data, transform unstructured data to an organized and structured form, and can improve the search engine rankings of your site. The software delivers rapid data insights and leads to better business performance and decisions. Two of the most distinctive features of Dexi is its APIs and robot technology. Unlike other ordinary web scraping tools, it can validate your position against the competition and can scrape meaningful data from various sites. You can perform multiple data extraction tasks at a time and can save your time and energy. Dexi automatically captures the raw data and transforms it into readable and scalable information with just a few clicks.
2. FMiner:
Just like Dexi.io, FMiner possesses its own APIs. It is one of the best web harvesting and data scraping tools on the internet. Fminer is compatible with Mac OS X, Linux, Windows and other similar operating systems. You can easily use it individually, or in combination with other web scraping tools to ease your work. It is best known for its user-friendly interface. Fminer combines best-in-class features with the intuitive visual project design to make our next web scraping project a breeze. You can use this tool to handle sites with AJAX, cookies, JavaScript, and redirects. Fminer will scrape data comfortably and will provide you with readable and scalable information with just a few clicks. You can select an output file format and record the steps on FMiner as you walk through the data extraction steps on a target webpage.
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