You hear about it in the IT corridors or in the specialized media, the term API is now on everyone's lips. A well-deserved success: the API allows you to cumulate functionalities on your application or website and reduces the complexity (and therefore the time) of development. This interface promises a simpler future as long as you master its fundamental rules. Don't start off with a headache, Blue Soft tells you everything and helps you develop your API.
What is APIsation?
An API is a software brick that serves as a means of communication between two services or applications. APIs enable users to access corporate services, and developers to save time and resources. Why use API Gateways? Find out in this article.
The API system is helping companies to grow their portfolio of services and is bringing in new players. In the banking system, for example, the same money transaction API allows users to make transfers both from their bank's application and from a third-party application such as Lydia.
APIs are absolutely everywhere. A new feature on your application? API. A new service on your website? API too. From booking a VTC from Google Maps to recording your pulse on the FitBit, everything is APIed. Why such a success? Because the API is simple to set up and it works in a product logic. That is, the company that uses the API does not need to build it itself, it buys a ready-made API and deploys it in its interfaces.
The expression "APIsation" translates the more global movement that revolves around APIs. It refers to the systematic use of APIs in an information system thanks to a library of services that users will "use".
There are three levels of APIsation:
Level 1 - Internal: the API is developed (or commissioned) by the company. It will only be used by employees. This level corresponds mainly to business applications.
Level 2 - Partner: The API is used by both internal and partner developers. This level corresponds, for example, to a delivery tracking API. It is used internally (by a carrier), but also by its partners (e-merchants).
Level 3 - Open: the API is used by internal developers, partner developers and external developers. There are many Open APIs, for example, in the Smart Building domain where APIs are used by all players.
Good practices
When developing an API, there are many rules to consider. Here are the 4 essential steps for choosing and implementing an API. At Blue Soft , we've tried out several of them. Our experts give you their recommendations:
- While building the API, consider developing and attaching clear documentation;
- Whatever the level of the API, you must not forget to respect a fundamental rule: data governance. Clarify this point with the actors involved, anticipate the use of the API and respect the codes;
- Whether it is intended to be used internally or in Open, the API must operate in a perfectly secure manner at the level of data, processing or development;
- Since the API is an interface, keep it simple. There is no need for you to expose all the processing;
- To get the most out of the API, we advise you to associate it with metrics. Use KPIs, SLAs or build a dashboard, you will get usable data;
- Remember, an API doesn't just expose data, you have to take everything into account;
- Last but not least, the question of architecture. There are many models to build your API. Depending on how it works and who uses it, work with the most appropriate architecture model.
API management can be done via powerful interfaces. On the current market, three names stand out: Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud (via its Apigee system) and Amazon Web Services. Their proven power, domain expertise and capabilities allow you to develop wherever you want, whenever you want.
By going through these platforms, you work in a multi-cloud environment that offers security and scalability (an extensibility of your investments). Depending on the service, you can publish your APIs, analyze them, monetize them, transform your services and manage microservices.
To develop your API as easily as possible, rely on the market solutions and the expertise of the Blue Soft teams. You will obtain a result combining performance and security, essential to publish or sell your API easily.
You want to API your organization? Blue Soft accompanies you!
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