How to Create Software and APIs using ChatGPT

ChatGPT may be helpful in the development of software in a number of different ways. It may help with the software development process by providing technical advice and insight, evaluating code, and fixing code problems. The software development process may be streamlined and productivity increased by using these features. The ChatGPT API may also be used to create programs that need natural language processing, such as chatbots. ChatGPT may provide helpful code snippets in any programming language using a text prompt that outlines the application requirements.

Application Programming Interface is referred to as API. APIs are a collection of standards, tools, and protocols that allow various software programs to connect with one another. APIs specify the sorts of data that may be sent between various software components and how they should interact with one another. APIs are used in a variety of ways, such as integrating two distinct software programs or allowing third parties to create software programs that are compatible with a specific platform.

In order to generate revenue from APIs you can charge for access or offer premium features.

Here are some examples of simple APIs that you can create yourself:

• Random Quote Generator API: You may construct an API that draws a random quotation from a collection of quotations. The quotations may be kept in a database, and an API endpoint can be made to deliver a random quotation in JSON format.
• Weather API: You may make a straightforward API that offers weather data for a certain place. You may get the information using an open weather API, such as OpenWeatherMap or WeatherAPI, and then build your own API to prepare the information and provide it in a common format, such as JSON.
• Currency Converter API: You can build a currency conversion API that uses the most recent exchange rates. In order to obtain the exchange rates, you may utilise an open-source currency exchange rates API like Fixer or Open Exchange Rates. After that, you can develop your own API that accepts input in a certain format and returns the converted amount in the appropriate currency.
• Image Search API: An image search API is an interface that enables developers to incorporate image search functionality into their applications or websites. It provides access to a database of images and their metadata, allowing users to search for images based on keywords or other criteria. It is widely used in applications where users need to search for and retrieve images efficiently.

Creating a Simple Random Quote Generator API using ChatGPT

I used the following ChatGPT prompt to generate the code for a simple Random Quote Generator API. ChatGPT generated a simple Flask application in Python language with a single route that, upon access, produces a random quotation from a collection of quotes.

Then I asked ChatGPT to show me how I can run the program, and it gave me instructions on how to run the Flask application as below.

In the middle of the process, I decided that I would prefer a Node.js application rather than the Flask application. I asked ChatGPT to convert the code to Node.js and it did (I will share the code in the Code section at the bottom of the page):

It also gave me instructions on how to run it locally:

I created the file in Linux, opened the file, and pasted the Node.js code above, then saved and ran it using the following commands:

• Create the file: ‘touch random-quote-api.js‘
• Open the file in your text editor of choice: ‘vim random-quote-api.js‘
• Copy-paste the code
• Save and exit the file
• Run the application: ‘node random-quote-api.js’

When running this command, I got an error as shown below:

I asked ChatGPT about this error, and it provided me with the solution to run ‘npm install express’ as the error indicates that Node.js is unable to find the required module ‘express’.

After running the command to install the ‘express’ module, I ran the node.js application again using this command: ‘node random-quote-api.js‘, and this time it ran the application and gave me this message: ‘Server running on port 3000’.

You can access the Random Quote Generator API by making a GET request to the /quote endpoint at 'http://localhost:3000/quote‘. Navigating to this URL, it showed a random quote with every refresh:

Develop a Website for the Random Quote Generator Application

I asked ChatGPT to write the full code (including HTML, CSS, and JS) of a random quote generator application that shows the quotes in a text area. It generated the code for each file (HTML, CSS and JavaScript) and also provided a nice explanation of what the application is and how to run it. I will add the code at the end of this article.

The random quote generator application generates a random quote every time the “New Quote” button is clicked. The quotes are displayed in a text area, along with the author’s name. The application uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create a simple and visually appealing user interface. It randomly selects a quote from an array of pre-defined quotes and displays it on the screen. The application is designed to provide users with a simple way to access and share inspiring quotes, and it can be easily customized to include additional features or functionality.

Here is the ChatGPT’s explanation when asked how to run the application:

To run the random quote generator application, you would need to follow these steps:

1. Download or copy the code into a text editor like Visual Studio Code.
2. Save the HTML, CSS, and JS files with appropriate file extensions (.html, .css, .js).
3. Open the HTML file in a web browser.
4. Click the “Generate Quote” button to generate a new random quote.
5. The quote will be displayed in the text area below the button.
6. You can continue clicking the button to generate more random quotes.

Note: You will need an internet connection to load the jQuery and Bootstrap libraries used in the application.

ChatGPT’s insights on Hosting and Selling the API

I utilised ChatGPT to receive advice on where I could host the API for no cost and on which marketplace I could sell it. These are the responses it offered:

APIs may be hosted for free using a number of platforms, including Heroku, Amazon Lambda, and Google Cloud Functions. These platforms provide free tiers or trials that can be utilised to host your API without charge, usually with some usage or resource restrictions. You may also think about storing your API data in a free-tier database service like MongoDB Atlas or Firebase. While these services are free, it’s crucial to bear in mind that there can be some use constraints, and you might need to pay for more resources if your API usage exceeds the free tier restrictions.

You can sell your API on a number of app marketplaces, including RapidAPI, Mashape, and AWS Marketplace. Developers may purchase and sell APIs on these platforms, which makes it simpler to monetise your API and reach a larger audience.

AI-Generated Code by ChatGPT

Python Code (Flask application) to Create a Simple Random Quote Generator API

import random
from flask import Flask, jsonify

app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/quote')
def get_random_quote():
    quotes = [
        "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. -Nelson Mandela",
        "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. -Walt Disney",
        "Your time is limited, don't waste it living someone else's life. -Steve Jobs",
        "If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor. -Eleanor Roosevelt",
        "If you look at what you have in life, you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough. -Oprah Winfrey",
        "If you set your goals ridiculously high and it's a failure, you will fail above everyone else's success. -James Cameron"
    ]
    quote = random.choice(quotes)
    return jsonify({'quote': quote})

if __name__ == '__main__':
    app.run(debug=True)

Node.js Application Code to Create a Simple Random Quote Generator API

const express = require('express');
const app = express();

const quotes = [
  {
    text: "Be the change that you wish to see in the world.",
    author: "Mahatma Gandhi"
  },
  {
    text: "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.",
    author: "Abraham Lincoln"
  },
  {
    text: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.",
    author: "Wayne Gretzky"
  },
  {
    text: "The best way to predict your future is to create it.",
    author: "Abraham Lincoln"
  }
];

app.get('/quote', (req, res) => {
  const randomQuote = quotes[Math.floor(Math.random() * quotes.length)];
  res.send(randomQuote);
});

const port = 3000;
app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Server running on port ${port}`);
});

HTML Code for Random Quote Generator Website

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Random Quote Generator</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="style.css">
  </head>
  <body>
    <div class="container">
      <h1>Random Quote Generator</h1>
      <div class="quote">
        <textarea id="quote-text" rows="5" readonly></textarea>
        <button id="new-quote-btn">New Quote</button>
      </div>
    </div>
    <script src="script.js"></script>
  </body>
</html>

JavaScript Code for Random Quote Generator Website

const quotes = [
  "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. -Nelson Mandela",
  "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. -Walt Disney",
  "Your time is limited, don't waste it living someone else's life. -Steve Jobs",
  "If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor. -Eleanor Roosevelt",
  "If you look at what you have in life, you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough. -Oprah Winfrey",
  "If you set your goals ridiculously high and it's a failure, you will fail above everyone else's success. -James Cameron",
  "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. -John Lennon",
  "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. -Mother Teresa",
  "When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on. -Franklin D. Roosevelt",
  "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. -Robert Louis Stevenson"
];

const quoteText = document.getElementById('quote-text');
const newQuoteBtn = document.getElementById('new-quote-btn');

function getRandomQuote() {
  return quotes[Math.floor(Math.random() * quotes.length)];
}

function displayQuote() {
  const randomQuote = getRandomQuote();
  quoteText.value = randomQuote;
}

displayQuote();

newQuoteBtn.addEventListener('click', displayQuote);

CSS Code for Random Quote Generator Website

body {
  background-color: #f8f8f8;
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
}

.container {
  max-width: 800px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  text-align: center;
}

h1 {
  color: #333;
}

.quote {
  background-color: #fff;
  border-radius: 10px;
  box-shadow: 0px 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
  margin-top: 50px;
  padding: 20px;
}

textarea {
  width: 100%;
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  padding: 10px;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 5px;
  resize: none;
}

button {
  background-color: #333;
  color: #fff;
  border: none;
  padding: 10px 20px;
  border-radius: 5px;
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  cursor: pointer;
}

button:hover {
  background-color: #444;
}

Conclusion

In general, while ChatGPT cannot develop an API or software on its own, it may be a helpful tool during the planning, creating, testing, and marketing stages of it. Software development can benefit from ChatGPT’s ability to generate code snippets, provide insights and ideas, reply to questions, and give assistance.