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Telephony Application Programming Interface
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<p>The Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI) is a <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows/bwhAhuSL">Microsoft Windows</a> <a href="/facts/Application_programming_interface/GMlN4vUr">API</a>, which provides <a href="/facts/Computer_telephony_integration/I94BNL9K">computer telephony integration</a> and enables <a href="/facts/Personal_computer/koaYfNce">PCs</a> running <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows/bwhAhuSL">Microsoft Windows</a> to use <a href="/facts/Telephone/P7uEgWQX">telephone</a> services. Different versions of TAPI are available on different versions of Windows. TAPI allows applications to control telephony functions between a computer and telephone network for data, fax, and voice calls. It includes basic functions, such as dialing, answering, and hanging up a call. It also supports supplementary functions, such as hold, transfer, conference, and call park found in <a href="/facts/Private_branch_exchange/eLWvlhzs">PBX</a>, <a href="/facts/ISDN/zcV99rUb">ISDN</a>, and other telephone systems. </p><p>TAPI is used primarily to control either modems or, more recently, to control business telephone system (PBX) handsets. When controlling a <a href="/facts/Private_branch_exchange/eLWvlhzs">PBX</a> handset, the driver is provided by the manufacturer of the telephone system. Some manufacturers provide drivers that allow the control of multiple handsets. This is traditionally called "third-party control". Other manufacturers provide drivers that allow the control of a single handset. This is called "first-party control". Third-party drivers are designed to allow applications to see and/or control multiple extensions at the same time. Some telephone systems only permit one third-party connection at a time. First-party drivers are designed to allow applications to monitor and/or control one extension at a time. Telephone systems naturally permit many of these connections simultaneously. Modem connections are by nature first-party. </p><p>TAPI can also be used to control voice-enabled telephony devices, including voice modems and dedicated hardware such as <a href="/facts/Dialogic_Corporation/lSL45B4k">Dialogic</a> cards. </p>