Simple, secure API authentication system

Question

I have a simple REST JSON API for other websites/apps to access some of my website\'s database (through a PHP gateway). Basically the service works like this: call example.com/f

Answer 1

OAuth is not the solution here.
OAuth is when you have endusers and want 3rd party apps not to handle end user passwords. When to use OAuth: http://blog.apigee.com/detail/when_to_use_oauth/

Go for simple api-key.
And take additional measures if there is a need for a more secure solution.

Here is some more info, http://blog.apigee.com/detail/do_you_need_api_keys_api_identity_vs._authorization/