Learn more about API-First and how it can deliver practical solutions to today’s modern IT environment.
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API-First is an approach of defining your API specification before jumping into the development phase. With an API-first approach, instead of starting with code, you could start with design, planning, mocks, and tests.
By choosing an API-First approach, teams can crystallize their vision before development, removing the unnecessary complexity in implementation to deliver a resourceful, smart API that can no only keep R&D costs low, but has the ability to meet today’s modern IT landscape where a single operation to query several systems and components to get the job done. The specification is shared internally, as a general to-do list for the project teams to work on independently.
Hence, a well-prepared API which sets out the project’s limits and scope, lets you identify potential pain points from the outset. It also has some key benefits:
SPEED API-First encourages an engineer-first approach, with the business following and adjusting the project details to the technical capabilities and limitations. By doing so, the application life cycle is trimmed, saving cost and time. Likewise, with no dependency on other departments, frontend and backend teams can work together, simultaneously, towards a mutual goal. And since you already have a defined spec, it can easily be used as the basis for your customer documentation after publication.
DIRECTION FIRST The essence of API-First is to set a project overview, including identifying the crucial functionality in the application that will need to be exposed. Clearly stating the application’s responsibilities results in greater transparency, project cost and time forecasting. Additionally, with an established tech ecosystem, you can create a path for the swift expansion of the product in the future.
USABILITY At a time when “every API is a potential public API”, the ability to plan and implement strict standards across your internal products will lead to not only a good quality API, but can also directly translate into the API’s reusability, value and visibility on the market.
An API-First approach is best reserved for brand-new projects where solid API design, in-depth understanding of the business goals and technical know-how will help you deliver a truly competitive API-driven software ecosystem.
