Developers' Network Blog

Introducing OCLCNUM normalization service

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:46:52 -0500

Thanks for great suggestion by Tod Matola in OCLC, we are introducing an OCLCNUM normalization service as part of xOCLCNUM. -- xOCLCNUM service now accepts different variants of an OCLCNUM, and always return OCLCNUM in same flavor, such as: http://xisbn.worldcat.org/webservices/xid/oclcnum/ocm55847258?method=getEditions&format=xml&fl=lccn,isbn --add a new method to generate different variants of an OCLCNUM. http://xisbn.worldcat.org/webservices/xid/oclcnum/55847258?method=getVariants&format=xml For more information, please check http://xisbn.worldcat.org/xisbnadmin/xoclcnum/api.htm#getvariants

xOCLCNUM service and its dissemination format

Thu, 22 May 2008 13:35:04 -0500

We recently released the xOCLCNUM service in http://xisbn.worldcat.org/xisbnadmin/xoclcnum/index.htm In the early design of xISBN service, we didn't think through all requirement for future services, so it's bit awkward that we actually use a different XML schema/namespace for xOCLCNUM service, such as: 55847258 However, if you prefer to use any other dissemination format, such as text or json distribution, we actually kept a consistent schema: http://xisbn.worldcat.org/webservices/xid/isbn/0596002815 ?method=getMetadata&format=python&fl=isbn,oclcnum http://xisbn.worldcat.org/webservices/xid/oclcnum/177669176 ?method=getMetadata&format=python&fl=isbn,oclcnum So any code written for xISBN should be applicable to xOCLCNUM as well if you are not using XML dissemination, otherwise you may need a little (I hope) adjustments.

xISBN JSON callback and a GoogleBooks demo

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:56:47 -0500

We added a few more features in xISBN service recently: - JSON callback JSON output is native JavaScript, and callbacks are particularly useful for use with web service requests in client-side JavaScript. see: http://xisbn.worldcat.org/xisbnadmin/doc/api.htm#callback - tab-delimited format dissemination This is useful if you need to do a unix cut: $ curl "http://xisbn.worldcat.org/webservices/xid/isbn/0596002815?method=getEditions&fl=title,year&format=txt" | cut -f 2 - a demo of integrating Googlebooks with xISBN JSON callback http://xisbn.worldcat.org/xisbndemo/index.htm

Intro to WorldCat Grid

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:46:24 -0500

This is the presentation from midwinter ALA. The exact data, schema, etc etc returned by the WorldCat API is of course evolving as we speak from what is in this presentation. http://worldcat.org/devnet/blog/presentations/2008_01_ALA_Grid_Intro.pdf Don

xISBN improvements

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 10:40:44 -0500

In this monthly update we add a few new features: - support paging of large result by two parameters: "startIndex" and "count". xISBN by default returns first 1000 matched ISBNs, however there are a few works with more than 1000 matches (e.g. Bible), in that case, the remaining ISBNs can be fetched by the paging method. We use "startIndex" and "count" parameters to page the result. The same technique can be used if the client desired less than 1000 records in response. The definition of startIndex and count is same as OpenSearch Specification. To do a paging request: http://xisbn.worldcat.org/webservices/xid/isbn/9789574760442?method=getEditions&startIndex=1&count=2 - support two new fields: city (city of publication) and lccn (Library of Congress Control Number),e.g. http://xisbn.worldcat.org/webservices/xid/isbn/2841770893?fl=city,lccn LCCN can be considered a more significant feature as it allows mapping of identifiers. - author field now use all author name http://xisbn.worldcat.org/webservices/xid/isbn/2841770893?fl=author -- support serialization to csv format (UTF-8 encoding) http://xisbn.worldcat.org/webservices/xid/isbn/2841770893?format=csv&fl=* -- xISBN service now covers 16,662,967 ISBNs and 13,308,218 FRBR groups, for more information, please check http://xisbn.worldcat.org/xisbnadmin/doc/stat.htm

ALA - Mid WInter and WorldCat Grid

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:05:42 -0500

Thanks to everyone who was at the 'Introduction to WorldCat Grid' session and to all who made the Developer's Network meet and greet which included a demo of the WorldCat API. I met a variety of you and had quite a few interesting discussions about the WorldCat Grid and the API. We are pressing ahead with the invitation release of the API for late February. We want to accommodate as many as who are interested -- I know there will be some who may be disappointed not to be on this first list. I will be posting the presentation soon. My Philadelphia experience was positive. Philly has a real 'walkers' central city and I took advantage of that. Hopped the train from the hotel to the airport - enjoyed the rapid transit. Maybe because Columbus Ohio is the opposite - closest passenger train is 100 miles away. Don Hamparian Portfolio Manager WorldCat Grid Services

The Grid at The Show

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:46:06 -0500

I've called the ALA Conference "The Show", and for good reason, although the real show is not really Midwinter, but Annual. Midwinter is a lot like Annual, though, but with less people, so perhaps I can be forgiven for failing to draw a clear boundary line. Nonetheless, the WorldCat Grid and Developer's Network were unveiled to the Midwinter attendees at a number of venues:

Policies Directory Update
Policies Directory Update and the WorldCat Registry
Introducing WorldCat Grid
Developer's Network Meet and Greet
WorldCat Registry Update

I also devoted a part of the RLG Heads of Systems meeting to the WorldCat Grid and Developer's Network. At the Developer's Network Meet and Greet, Don demonstrated the WorldCat API to an interested audience of 30-40 developers. The beer probably didn't hurt either. All in all, we're quite happy with how the meeting went, and are already looking forward to the real "show" in Anaheim in June. We hope to see you there!