[teruakohatu]

Not even remotely the same. Screw threads, hole sizes, width of timber etc ie. specifications are the same.

People make a big deal about beautiful apis. Almost all apis are simply functional. The complexity lies in the implementation not the specification.

[jimbokun]

API design largely determines whether a performant, correct implementation is even feasible within a given time frame. Setting aside whether or not developers can then successfully use the API to accomplish their goals.

[goodluckchuck]

Yep, it’s like patenting the ingredient list instead of the recipe. It ignores the process and says no ones allowed to cook any combination of fish, flour, potato, milk, and eggs.

The unique food might be fish balls, but it also covers fish and chips, and a million other things that could be done with that API.