PI API

The PI Application Programming Interface (PI API) is a library of functions that read and write values to and from Data Archive, and also let you retrieve point configuration information. OSIsoft uses the API to create interfaces that run on a variety of platforms.

The PI API also provides the ability to buffer data that is being sent to Data Archive, enabling the Data Archive server to be taken offline for software or hardware upgrades without compromising data collection. When the server becomes available again, the buffered data are forwarded to it.

API Nodes are workstations that run programs such as interfaces that are based on the PI API. In practice, the term API Node is sometimes used as a synonym for interface node, because historically, most interfaces are API-based.

You can call the PI API from C, C++, Visual Basic, or other languages. For more information on the PI API, refer to the PI API Programmer's Help. You can access this from PI SDK Help.