So, about an Addon API...

[Morvelaira]

I've been running a labor of love for nearly a year now. I have a spreadsheet that I've constructed, and it is capable of not only calculating the relative values of crafted items, but also suggestions on best case procurement when it comes to high-dollar items like materia, demimateria, and the Ixali items.

While I'm proud of my creation, there's a major flaw: Data inflow. With the lack of any way to collect the data short of manual looking up items and entering them in the spreadsheet, it takes an inordinate amount of time to update to current base prices. I can only think it will get longer with Heavensward.

This could all be solved with an addon that extracts the data. I don't even want to inject into the game at all - just read. I know there's be moral objections to the idea of addons in FFXIV in the past, but... please. If the divine YoshiP or his choir of angelic devs have said anything about the possibility of opening it up? I cannot find reliable information on it.

[Oce]

Wouldn't that constitute as data mining and break the ToS

[Aethaeryn]

All I remember hearing is that the API for add-on stuff is on hold while they work on getting Heavensward out.

[Viridiana]

Wouldn't that constitute as data mining and break the ToS

2.5 Data Mining. You may not intercept, mine or otherwise collect information from the Game using unauthorized third party software

So, as long as it stays within the bounds of an authorized API, no.

[Oce]

So, as long as it stays within the bounds of an authorized API, no.

Ah, I see! Well, it seems like something that could be abused pretty easily...

[Aethaeryn]

Ah, I see! Well, it seems like something that could be abused pretty easily...

That's why they haven't released it yet. They want to try and safeguard against as many potential exploits as possible. Regardless, this particular project seems harmless.

[Callinon]

So, as long as it stays within the bounds of an authorized API, no.

Add to that an addon is not third-party software and cannot break the ToS by definition.

It's just a matter of what SE chooses to expose to the API that'll determine what addons can and cannot do. Client-side item data seems harmless.