what is a mashup and how does it work?

Answer 1

A mashup is a hybrid web application... it takes functionality from multiple sources and combines them to create a new application. Often this is done through API's - one well-known example of a web service with a powerful API is Google Maps. Many developers have utilized the Google Maps API and combined it with another service, such as a listing of beaches with WiFi internet access, to create a new map application that points out the best beaches in the world based on the availability of WiFi. The Maps program comes from Google and the listing of beaches comes from another site, and the developer merges the two into a new application.

Mashups can go far beyond trivialities and open up new possibilities for powerful web-based software by utilizing resources from disparate origins.

The example I used can be found at: http://www.geekabout.com/2007-01-18-78/top-10-beaches-with-wifi-internet-access.html

Answer 2

what is google?