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From: romkey@ASYLUM.SF.CA.US (John Romkey)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip
Subject: Does FTP Define A C Level Protocol?
Message-ID: <9104281702.AA14622@asylum.sf.ca.us>
Date: 29 Apr 91 00:02:18 GMT
References: <41713@cup.portal.com>
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Reply-To: romkey@asylum.sf.ca.us
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 14

The FTP specification defines only the protocol. In general, Internet
protocol specifications define the actual protocol, and sometimes list
requirements of an API for the protocol, but don't actually specify
the API. Most FTP implementations jumble together the actual protocol
implementation, the API to FTP (if there's even one) and the interface
to the OS.

The only specific API for FTP that I know of is for an FTP library
that I wrote for FTP Software a long time back. It's specified in the
documentation for FTP (Software)'s dev kit, which includes the
library. I think you can buy the dev kit manuals separately if you
want. I know FTP Software considers the API to be non-proprietary.
		- john romkey			Epilogue Technology
USENET/UUCP/Internet:  romkey@asylum.sf.ca.us	voice/fax: 415 594-1141