New Project: Google Ctemplate

The code just keeps on coming! Today we've released Google Ctemplate, a library implementing a simple but powerful template language for C++ that emphasizes separating logic from presentation. You've already used Ctemplate: this is the same code that formats all of the pages for Google's web search.

Source code and RPMs for Ctemplate are available from SourceForge. Give it a try!

Read More

Google Calendar data API: time to start coding!

Developers appreciate a nice web application, like the one that launched last week with Google Calendar. Even more, they appreciate a nice web application programming model that enables them to build applications, not just use them. Enter the Google Calendar data API.

The Google Calendar data API is based upon a common API model called GData. The GData model uses REST principles and Atom or RSS 2.0 syndicated feeds as the base resource model to expose data held by Google services (like Google Calendar).

GData feeds support queries based upon URL parameters, so it is possible to take a base feed, add parameters, and query for all entries that match a search query, fall within a date range, or other conditions. With proper authentication, GData feeds also support the ability to post new entries (create new events), to modify existing ones (add event participants), or delete them (cancel a meeting). The GData feed edit model is based upon the Atom Publishing Protocol.

Basing the GData protocol model upon HTTP/XML means it is possible to use Google data APIs in a wide variety of client programming languages and environments. Java and C# libraries are available now, others will coming soon. The GData protocol is open, based upon existing/emerging standards, and fully documented. GData uses the extensibility features of Atom and RSS to expose feed entries that contain data that is customized for the type of service (like a Calendar entry with location, participants, and recurrence data). Any and all extensions will be documented. As new API-enabled Google services become available, the common Google data API model will make it easier as a developer to reuse client libraries, tools, and techniques across different services.

We're interested in your feedback on this new capability! You can send feedback and ask questions in the the Google Calendar data API Group and the general Google data API Group.

Read More

Too Much of a Good Thing

Thanks to everyone for the enormous interest in participating in Summer of Code 2006. Due to the overwhelming response, we will stop accepting mentor organization applications on Monday, April 24th. Please get your applications to us before then.

One of the most difficult aspects of running this program is the great number of worthy projects we have to turn away. If we can't find a place for your organization in the program, please look to the organizations we have accepted to see if there is a match between your goals and consider applying there as a mentor.

Read More

The Summer of Code 2006

A number of you have emailed us with one question on your minds: Will there be a Summer of Code this year? The answer, as you might have guessed, is yes! The SoC is our program to introduce students to the world of Open Source software development. Last year of the 8744 applicants, 419 students were accepted into the program and more than 80% of them succeeded, which means they received the full stipend of $4500. As of today, we're taking in applications from mentoring organizations, so watch that list of mentoring organizations grow!

Then, starting May 1st, we'll start taking student applications.

We've prepared two FAQs, one for Mentors and one for Students. We've also have created an IRC channel and Google Group for you. The website for the Summer of Code can be found at http://code.google.com/soc/.

Read More

Google Related Links

Last week, we quietly rolled out Google Related Links, which lets you display a unit of useful links on your web site related to your site's content, including relevant news, searches, and web pages. It is a great way to add fresh, dynamic content to your web site, and it is amazingly easy to use.

Read More

Google Maps API Version 2

The Google Maps team just released Version 2 of the Google Maps API. It includes a number of new features and friendlier usage terms. Read more about the launch on the Google Maps API blog.

Read More