Creating Posts or Pages through the API

In writing a plugin is there a way to generate pages/posts without using the admin interface? That is, can we create pages/posts through the WordPress API? And is there an easy way to do this? I want the method to be generic, and this should be plain since I’m writing a plugin.

I’ve considered opening and appending to .htaccess as a tactic, but I really cannot assume it exists in the wild (not generic enough). Plus, I’d like pretty URLs that mask. Hence, why I ask.

Thanks!

Cheers,
Aaron
nerdfiles.net