In this chapter, we're going to look at the location-oriented features of the Graph API, namely Places and Checkins.
These two elements are intrinsically linked—Places are objects in the Graph API which link to real-world geolocation coordinates, existing as locations where a user can register their visit, for a fleeting moment, as a Checkin.
Checkins are different than Events, in that they have much more momentary significance—there's not the same level of forward-planning and formal attendance with a Checkin as there is with an Event. Likewise, Places are unusual in that they don't really have their own fixed object type in the Graph API. They exist, but as sub-objects of Checkin objects.
Checkins to Facebook Places are made primarily through mobile or location-aware devices, such as, but not exclusively, mobile phones or tablet computers. With the Facebook ActionScript 3 SDK, we are able to retrieve and create Checkins on the user's behalf.
With the Graph API methods available...