@ -11,10 +11,14 @@ To unpack the materiality of bots, we can have a closer look at three features o
2. API's
2. API's
3. background processes
3. background processes
### Code
The first feature will not come as a surprise: **code**. If we look at the digital materiality of a bot, we can say that it is a script: an executable file that sits on your computer or on a server. Code is used to describe how the bot makes a connection, what behaviour it has and when it comes into action.
The first feature will not come as a surprise: **code**. If we look at the digital materiality of a bot, we can say that it is a script: an executable file that sits on your computer or on a server. Code is used to describe how the bot makes a connection, what behaviour it has and when it comes into action.
There are a whole range of programming languages that a bot-maker can use to make a bot. The most popular ones are Python and Javascript. The choice for a specific language is often based on the preference of the programmer, it is a bit like picking your favorite flavour. However, the choice for a programming language can also be based on the availability of a library around an API.
There are a whole range of programming languages that a bot-maker can use to make a bot. The most popular ones are Python and Javascript. The choice for a specific language is often based on the preference of the programmer, it is a bit like picking your favorite flavour. However, the choice for a programming language can also be based on the availability of a library around an API.
### API's
If we talk about the relationship between platform and bots, we cannot escape talking about the **API**.
If we talk about the relationship between platform and bots, we cannot escape talking about the **API**.
The term *API* is an acronym for Application Programming Interface. It is an code-based interface between the programmer and a platform, such as Wikipedia, Reddit, Whatsapp, Twitter or Mastodon. Not all platforms have an API, it's a decision of the owner of the platform to make one. Every API is therfor different and comes with different constraints or rules.
The term *API* is an acronym for Application Programming Interface. It is an code-based interface between the programmer and a platform, such as Wikipedia, Reddit, Whatsapp, Twitter or Mastodon. Not all platforms have an API, it's a decision of the owner of the platform to make one. Every API is therfor different and comes with different constraints or rules.
@ -29,6 +33,8 @@ Essentially does the API determine how the platform developers imagine it will b
So to sum up: a bot is written in code and uses an API to connect to an infrastructure.
So to sum up: a bot is written in code and uses an API to connect to an infrastructure.
### Background processes
In order to run the bot, we need one more last feature: a so called **process**.
In order to run the bot, we need one more last feature: a so called **process**.
A *process* is nothing more then a term to refer to the act of putting the bot into action. In the most simple version, this can be done by running a script from your own computer. In a more complex version, you could upload your script to a server and run it from there *continuously*.
A *process* is nothing more then a term to refer to the act of putting the bot into action. In the most simple version, this can be done by running a script from your own computer. In a more complex version, you could upload your script to a server and run it from there *continuously*.
