[anuraj]

This is a network programmers view. System, Network programmers concern themselves about systems and topologies. For an application programmer, both needs to be abstracted and only the business logic is important. Money is in the top of the pyramid now - hence the proliferation of APIs.

[cemerick]

The point of the piece, in large part, was to emphasize that we're all network programmers. If you're whacking away with APIs and couldn't care less about the broader system its topology, please stay away from me. ;-)

APIs are proliferating because their coupling around client/server process and data representation makes for high switching costs and thus sweet vendor lock-in.