[Android Apps and Games] ergsan:
Hi,

Looking for an automatic way to categorize apps, we decided to propose an app to build an open database for app categorization and offer an API to easily access the available data.

The use of the API and associated database is demonstrated within the app CatApplus (see the associated thread). The app helps to build and consolidate this API and database. We present this app in a different thread to be less ambiguous in the releases and bug reports (note for moderators).

Examples of what you can obtain:

How does CatApplus works:

-it retrieves all your apps

-it uses our API to retrieve associated categories from our database

-it stores all data in the application database for offline use and propose you categories via folders

-categories are listed below and apps that are not found from our server are put into "uncategorized" category (for manual categorization)

What is done server-side (API):

-each request (namely, the package name of the app) is proceeded via a parsing of available categories from markets (for the moment it is the Android Market but if you know other possible markets, you're welcome); if the app cannot be found in the database or in the available markets "unknown" tag is attributed

-the retrieved data is stored in a database for future use

-a JSON output is provided for an external app to retrieve: category; name; publisher name

-a regular dump sql/csv file is provided to import for your own use, your own app/rom/launcher; this file is free to use;

We offer (with no guarantee, of course !) our API and regular dump copy of the database for your own use :); no guarantees concerning availability in future (server costs), accuracy, maintenance ...etc.

The more the API is used, and the more data is available for your use ! The app will simply help to achieve this quickly. Just download the app CatApplus and let it guides you !

The available categories are the same that are available in the Android Market: 'Arcade & Action','Brain & Puzzle','Cards & Casino','Casual','Racing','Sports Games','Books & Reference','Business','Comics','Communication','Education','Entertainment','Finance','Health & Fitness','Libraries & Demo','Lifestyle','Live Wallpaper','Media & Video','Medical','Music & Audio','News & Magazines','Personalization','Photography','Productivity','Shopping','Social','Sports','Tools','Transportation','Travel & Local','Weather'

Some limitations:

-In CatApplus we defined an "Uncategorized" category for apps with "unknown" category (from teh API)

-"unknown" category for apps that cannot be found in available markets for the API

-Available markets: Android Market only for the moment

-The API:

http://api.ergsap.com/catapplus/catapplus_ind.php?catApplus_pn=myPackageName

Example (a great game!):

http://api.ergsap.com/catapplus/catapplus_ind.php?catApplus_pn=com.thevoxelagents.TrainConductor2

will output the JSON code:

[{"catApplus_pn":"com.thevoxelagents.TrainConductor2","catApplus_name":"Train Conductor 2: USA","catApplus_cat":"Brain & Puzzle","catApplus_pub":"The Voxel Agents"}]

In maintenance mode, the output is simply maintenance.

If the application cannot be found, all fields are set to "unknown", so the JSON output is:

[{"catApplus_pn":"myPackageName","catApplus_name":"unknown","catApplus_cat":"unknown","catApplus_pub":"unknown","catApplus_cat_pending":""}]

if the app cannot be categorized

or

[{"catApplus_pn":"myPackageName","catApplus_name":"unknown","catApplus_cat":"unknown","catApplus_pub":"unknown","catApplus_cat_pending":"pending"}]

if the app has not been categorized yet.

3 Dump files of the database (SQL/CSV files) are automatically updated (several times a day) and bzip compressed; raw csv, raw sql and buffered/memory efficient sql (smaller and faster insertions/import; you cannot edit it-one row syntax); see database to download;

Statistics & guide: a great way also to discover 100+ most used apps !

CatApplus in Google Play Store/B]

[*]link

[*]Total available apps: 1023000

[*]Total categorized apps so far: 231 000 000 (yes hundred of millions !)

Nice implementation of CatApplus API can be found in

Folder Organizer

and of course in

CatApplus.

Just check these apps to see automatic apps categorization working nicely !

---------------

CatApplus releases:

database

CatApplus in Google Play Store/B]