Can I apply the API Key first and do the application later?

Question

I don't have an application to submit at the moment, but can I apply the key first?

Similar to http://stackapps.com/questions/14/is-it-appropriate-to-register-for-a-dev-app-key — Franci Penov, May 20 '10 at 16:16
@YOU: Do you mean *apply for* an API key? I assume you're not applying it *to* anything? I would just edit your question but I don't want to mess it up if I didn't understand something. — hippietrail, Oct 17 '12 at 15:06
@hippietrail, I don't remember how was the API key request method wroks. So may be you could just edit it, if my question is grammatically wrong or kind of. — YOU, Oct 18 '12 at 06:35

score 5 · Answer 1 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:25

5

You don't need an API key until your app goes live. For small traffic amounts (under 300 requests/day) you can use the API without the key to test your app:

Do I need an API key?

A single IP can only make a limited number of requests per day to the API. This limit is determined at first request time, and is dependent upon the presence of an API key.

API daily limits:

Key: 10,000
No Key: 300

The No Key limit is meant to facilitate experimentation, not for deployed apps.

Requests with invalid or revoked keys are not completed, they are not stepped down to the No Key limit.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:25

Community

1

answered May 20 '10 at 06:42

Kyle Cronin

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If I run out 300 requests, should I change my IP address? :) – YOU May 20 '10 at 06:45
But looks like this is the answer, make sense though. – YOU May 20 '10 at 06:48

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:25

3

Don't register for a key until you need it.

See "How API Keys Work" for more about API keys.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:25

Community

1

answered May 20 '10 at 22:36

Kevin Montrose

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Thanks Kevin, I got it. I don't want dummy application appears on app tab too. – YOU May 21 '10 at 02:50

Can I apply the API Key first and do the application later?

2 Answers2

Do I need an API key?

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