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APIs have quickly become a staple in modern tech circles. Software companies use them extensively when discussing applications or providing documentation of them.
To understand an API and its advantages, it's necessary first to have an idea of what one entails.
The API-First Approach is one of many approaches you can employ when developing software applications, and this article explores its core principles as well as provide more details and introduce any tools required for use with it.
What Is An API?
APIs (application programming interfaces) are collections of functions which enable applications, microservices and data sources to communicate and "talk" between themselves.
They allow applications to interact directly.
Your business goal may be to have customer billing data automatically transferred into your accounting system when customers place orders through B2B websites.
APIs allow different software programs to connect automatically for you, giving you more freedom in choosing vendors best suited for your business and eliminating vendor lock-in. Integrate your business into the API economy for maximum integration capabilities moving forward. Technologies published an analysis which reported that:
- More than 80% of companies will already have an API strategy or program in place.
- Nearly 70% of respondents cite the desire to enhance partner connectivity as a driving force.
- APIs are used by 55% of businesses that have a forward-looking approach to innovation.
APIs not only streamline application development, but they can also inspire creative thought. APIs are essential components to the long-term success of companies; APIs enable new revenue channels, improve operational efficiencies and simplify collaborations with partners.
APIs have long been thought of as similar to waiters; let's examine them more closely now. Let's first review some basic concepts before discussing their advantages.
API stands for Application Programming Interface and serves as the connection between two computers or programs.
Think of an API like middleware, connecting two ends so they can share data or invoke certain functionalities with given data at certain times.
APIs also play a crucial role when it comes to security: direct users would otherwise gain access directly to databases for data retrieval or manipulation - this makes an API even more important; sending information directly from one application onto the server and then having it returned directly back out for viewing by clients is much safer.
Here is a recap of how APIs work:
- Client-Side Requests The API: A request should include the following: the REST verb for the request, a URI, headers, and, if necessary, a request's Body.
- The API Sends A Request To The Application: Once the API receives the request, it will connect with the server. After receiving the request, the API will connect with the server and begin processing the data.
- A Server Responds To An API Request: Once the server processes and completes the request, it sends the data to the API.
- API Sends A Response To The Client: After the API receives the response, it prepares to send that response using the HTTP protocol to the client application.
APIs were never intended for direct human use; rather, they were made for computers. To develop successful APIs, we must always consider performance optimization and machine limitations when developing them.
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Security should also be of great concern. Our APIs transfer user data between applications and our servers; as such, they must prevent hackers from sniffing our APIs or sniffing at each endpoint and prevent leaks in data transmission from taking place.
Data must also be encoded/decoded at each stop point to protect our clients in case there are breaches in security or leaks occur.
Different Types Of APIs
HTTP is the protocol behind web APIs. Web APIs offer services like local/session storage and browser notifications; in particular, you might use JavaScript, but this isn't mandatory - Frontend Developers probably use APIs all the time when trying to retrieve URLs of pages (Windows), set timers for difficult tasks to be performed later (SetTimeout), etc.
The most popular APIs are Web APIs, which include four types:
- Public (Open) APIs: They are open to everyone. They may require registration but are open to external users. You can find the full list of Google APIs, for example.
- Internal API: If your sensitive data is only to be shared within the company or with a partner, you should use internal APIs.
- Partner API: They're similar to Open-APIs. But you can restrict access by using a gateway API. This approach is used in software development to control access to APIs that are paid or contain sensitive data.
- Composite API: This API allows you to use the output of one API as input into another API.
Different Types Of API Protocols
APIs do more than provide reliable connections between machines or programs; their primary function is creating reliable connections that serve to solve our problems and enhance product performance.
Over the years, programmers have created various APIs, each one boasting its own set of benefits; additionally, API protocols and architectures have also been created to specify types of data or rules we wish to implement (SOAP vs RPC being the two major protocols); API First Approach will utilize REST as its pillar concept.
RPC (Remote Procedure call)
RPC uses a client/server model that enables two applications to communicate without knowing all the specific details about a network.
RPC serves a primary function by allowing us to access server functions from another machine or computer; imagine you have two servers, A and B, where one wants to call functions of Server A from Server B; RPC makes this task possible using its ability to call functions written in different programming languages.
Data formats available include XML or JSON. Google Remoting Process Control is most frequently employed as the RPC framework; you may select either JSON, Protobuf Thrift or XML from their offerings for data format selection.
SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol)
It is a protocol for application-based communication based on XML that was widely used during the first 2000s. The document is an XML with the following format:
- SOAP Envelope: This wrapper is used for each SOAP message and consists of two elements, Header & Body. It is this part that indicates whether an XML file is a SOAP.
- SOAP Header: SOAP Header is one of the children in the SOAP envelope. It contains information about the application and the message. The header is for improved communication between two endpoints. You can add decentralized features to SOAP messages without requiring prior consent from the parties communicating.
- SOAP Body: It is the Body of each SOAP message that is vital (and must be mandatory). The Body contains information about the request and answer.
- SOAP Fault: SOAP provides us with a Special Body to report and handle errors that are the SOAP's fault.
REST (Representational State Transfer)
Our application has a server that contains all of the API resources it needs (for example, all files to load the pages, data, and media we need).
Our application uses a Rest API to access additional resources. The protocol that we use to establish a connection between the client and server is HTTP.
What Does An API First Approach Mean?
API-first means approaching API development as the foundation for all development projects, placing APIs as "first-class citizens".
That means all development is centered around producing an API with consumer applications using it as its focal point. API development must therefore focus on producing consistent, reusable APIs which use an API Description Language contract on how APIs should behave - this often requires additional planning collaboration and stakeholder feedback before writing the code itself.
The software you purchase online typically becomes part of your user experience through web browsing, becoming part of who you are after purchase and use.
Software companies frequently include APIs within their platforms for automation and integration purposes; this may prove beneficial; however, you will only gain access to some functionality available to you. An alternative approach to software development involves prioritizing APIs over other solutions or opinions; API-first development ensures all functions within a platform can be reached using APIs.
Business logic is at the core of any successful application, unifying all other parts into a coherent whole. API-First treats APIs like Citizens and consumes them like business logic.
Once your business model and project document have been completed, your APIs can be designed with communication among stakeholders becoming an issue.
Implementing services, resources, and components may seem promising at first. Still, customer perception may change once the emphasis is put solely on writing and implementing code rather than designing solid architecture and structures for their project.
Refactoring will likely occur during the implementation phase - something no API team wishes for.
The Growing Popularity Of API-First Approach
Humans and machines both consume data today. Humans typically access it via apps on various devices like phones, laptops, and tablets, with numerous types of screen sizes across these various types of devices requiring apps that look and perform flawlessly across them, all being essential to organizations' operations.
APIs help companies divide capabilities into independent services (known as microservices). Microservices allow applications to run smoothly on all devices.
Utilizing an approach which prioritizes API creation allows companies to make sure there are APIs for every app, which in turn enables rapid application creation across platforms, devices and operating systems.
API First Approach: Benefits
Software or application development is almost always a team activity, requiring collaboration among members to be successful.
Leaders should keep an eye on team members so that application development goes as smoothly as possible and use techniques such as API-First for smooth project development.
By designing APIs first, we reduce costs while eliminating needless meetings that take up precious teamwork time and energy.
Each single team member will play an essential part in designing and architectural aspects of a project, which provides invaluable experience that will strengthen their career prospects.
Parallel work development environments are also key. Suppose you want to develop a web-based app. In that case, Front End Developers will implement its client-side once API structures have been completed.
At the same time, the Back End team will take responsibility for all API implementation. Together they strive to find an efficient way of accomplishing their API structure goals.
Backend and frontend teams collaborate closely, sharing information and communicating about any challenges or complications they come across during implementation - saving both teams much time.
Adopting an API-first strategy has many advantages, including but not limited to.
Read More: Why API Integration Services Are Important
Parallel Development Teams Are Possible
API first involves establishing a contract. The creation of a contract that teams in an organization follow allows them to work on several APIs simultaneously.
The developers do not need to wait until an API is updated before they can move on to another API. The established API definition can be used to mock APIs, and the teams can functional test API dependency based on it.
App Development Costs Are Reduced
The APIs and the code are reusable on different projects. The development team does not have to create a brand-new application, which would be time-consuming.
The API-first approach allows for the majority of problems to be resolved before the code has been written, which prevents problems during integration.
Speed Up The Time To Market
Tools that import API definition files can automate a large part of the API-building process; for example, by allowing API definition files to be imported.
With these files, API tools like API documentation, mock APIs and SDKs can be automatically generated. The automation of the creation of APIs, applications and SDKs is a significant speed-up.
API first approach allows you to integrate new technologies and services into your applications without having to redesign the whole system.
Apps must be created quickly because the competition for developing apps is intense. Applications must be developed quickly and well-designed today.
Ensures Good Developer Experiences
Developer experience can be the difference between success and failure for APIs. API First ensures developers are happy with your APIs.
Consistent, well-documented APIs are more user-friendly for developers because they make it easier to reuse existing code, onboard new users, and reduce the learning curve.
The Risk Of Failure Is Reduced
In most businesses, APIs play a role in almost every aspect of business, from sales and marketing to consumer applications and communication.
APIs have the potential to positively and negatively impact your entire business. APIs reduce the risks of failure in software development by making sure that APIs can be used easily and are consistent and reliable.
Plan Your API-First Program
How should you plan and implement an API-first approach now that you are aware of some of its benefits? These are just some of the things you should include in your API first plan:
- Brainstorm: Identify the key services and capabilities that your company offers. Decide what APIs should be developed and which services APIs should offer. Write down and figure out the different use cases of each API. Write potential API endpoints that are based on these use cases.
- Identify API Stakeholders: Who is the stakeholder in your company? It would be best if you involved as many people in your API project as possible. This will ensure that your entire organization embraces your API. Allow stakeholders to have a say in the API design. The stakeholders can agree to the interactions within an organization, so APIs are consistent.
- Create An API Contract: The contract outlines a standard set of best practices and standards for API design. Document and describe all APIs. All APIs should be the same, including endpoints and URLs, as well as error codes and versions. The key is consistency.
- Create Style Guides: A comprehensive and cohesive style guide will ensure consistency among the various teams within an organization that are developing services. Standardizing API status codes and versioning will ensure that all APIs have the same design. Create a style guide using a tool for APIs in your company.
- API Governance: A process for API governance can be used to enforce standards and achieve desired results. In a future blog post, we will discuss API Governance. Peer code reviews are a great way to ensure API design standards are being followed and developers are writing quality code.
- Automate Process: Use tools such as API documentation generation, style validation and API mocking. Make APIs available as a self-service, so developers can start building apps right away. Interactive documentation or a Sandbox can be provided to developers so they can test API endpoints.
- Manage Your API Portfolio: Avoid duplicating APIs and code by managing and tracking your API portfolio. Use a tracking and management system to help you manage and track your APIs. It becomes more difficult to manage APIs as your platform and organization grow.
- Create An Internal Developer Portal: Create one central location for your internal developers to store all of their APIs - documentation, API specifications, contracts etc. PayPal's developer portal contains an inventory of APIs, documentation and dashboards.
Start Implementing API-First
It's all right. We are now ready to implement the API-First method in our project.
First Meetings
Even though the API-First method reduces your time spent in meetings, the team still needs to come together to brainstorm.
This is especially true at the start of the project. The team needs to be aware of all the requirements and expectations of stakeholders. Remember that all meetings should be documented (and recorded with everyone's permission).
Introduction Of Team Members
Team members must know each other, especially if you are adding new team members or if the members of the team need to recognize the stakeholder.
A healthy team relationship can boost the performance of your group. This step will also reduce bureaucracy, and everyone will be aware of their responsibilities.
Building A Culture Of Design And Development
As we've previously outlined, creating a strong cultural foundation for API-First is fundamental to its implementation.
Therefore it is vital that teams implement solid rules concerning development approach, project architecture design and coding styles, which ensure everyone on the team knows about them - it should be the responsibility of the Project Manager to make sure everyone in the team knows about these rules.
Standardize APIs
You can standardize your APIs using a variety of tools. It is important to establish a common language between the front end and the back end.
This is not documentation. We are talking here about a common language among technical teams.
Automated Tests And Deployment
It is important to have specific guidelines on how and when a project releases a new release. You can choose from a variety of tools for semantic versioning.
It would be best if you considered that testing is an integral part of every application.
Before Coding, Identify The API Functions And Endpoints
Before diving in and writing code, brainstorm the functions and services the API will expose based on collaboration between stakeholders and consumers of API.
What key features or capabilities should it possess? Understand all possible use cases for the API before discussing with its stakeholders what endpoints would best meet those requirements.
Create API Contracts For Each Project
This contract sets forth standards and best practices when creating APIs, from documenting design through development.
As OpenAPI has become so widely adopted, your REST APIs adhere to it for consistency with other APIs.
Create A Company API Style Guide
An API style guide ensures consistency, reuse, and uniformity among teams within your company. Your API style guide may include status codes and error-handling strategies as part of its functionality.
API Governance: Enforce Style Guide Best practices
API Governance can be an excellent way of upholding API standards established in your style guides, such as API usage or application code standards.
Peer reviews may also be needed to enforce your standards on both components (APIs or code) that fall under its jurisdiction and vice versa.
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Conclusion
As Omnichannel adoption grew more widespread, API-first strategies gained prominence. Today more ways than ever can access applications - web, mobile devices and connected appliances being among them - meaning businesses could create applications compatible with any channel while being easily expandable as new channels appear without having to develop additional solutions for each new channel.
An API-first platform is one of cornerstones, providing access to its core features as well as customizing it to suit individual business requirements.
Businesses using such strategies gain greater control of the e-commerce experience while at the same time building out technology stacks that enable growth for today and into tomorrow - giving API-first platforms an edge over their competition through increased control, flexibility and scalability.
