Ask HN: How would I go about creating my own platform API?

[jhacks]

It might be one of those questions where "if you have to ask, don't do it" but just curious. I'm looking to create an API that creates a platform for others to create their own apps within mine. For now, I am providing the basic functionality, but would be at some point in the future enable others to create within my platform.

Just curious as to how this is approached. I'm a frontend developer and only a beginner with Rails, so just providing basic functionality myself for now. However, it doesn't hurt to learn... even if it's too much work to bother with at this moment.

[kaplanm99]

So what would value would your platform provide that people would want to use it? I'd advise looking for a problem to solve and then thinking about the solution from there.

[jhacks]

I am solving a problem. It's a video chat platform. The basic functionality I can provide and it's enough to solve the issue. However, I am always thinking ahead... sometimes too far off ahead, but I recognize when something is not currently pertinent. This isn't pertinent currently. However, I still would love do what Google does with their Hangouts, and enable others to create apps for my platform.