APIs are a great way of making two applications, systems, or networks communicate with each other. A lot goes behind designing APIs; thus, no two APIs can be created equal or similar.
As a developer, when you create or design API, you must think efficiently about critical success factors while simultaneously meeting the business goals. Through this article, you will understand how a developer can make their API stand out from the rest. By following these best practices, you will be able to create a design that will offer the best user experience.
What is an Application Programming Interface (API)?
In simple words, API is software that helps two applications easily communicate with each other. The primary purpose of API development services is to define functions without the help of successive systems. It allows the definitions and uses to be different from each other without any risks.
Hence, if you design a good API, it will be able to improve the system quickly by offering building blocks. Moreover, if you use API, you will not have to write the codes from scratch. It allows the developers to reuse complex and challenging processes with minimal effort. This feature is essential for developers looking at the new app developments that happen regularly, as it would assist them in speeding up their process.
It has thus enhanced the efficiency of developers as they can now focus on designing strategies and functionalities instead of writing everything from the beginning.
Example of How to Create a Clear and Comprehensive API
The simplest example to check the integration of APIs is how the airline search functions online. For instance, when you need to check for an airline, you search the departure city and date, return date, seat category, food, meals, and other things. For booking purposes, you may visit the airline’s website for pricing and availability.
You must access the airline’s website through the browser or mobile phone to get all this information. In both scenarios, it will only happen if the app works with the airline’s website, providing access to the required data.
So, an API is a connector or a mediator who uses and delivers available data from the operating system to the airline’s operating system, in this case. The next step takes the airline’s response as requested and redirects you to your travel itinerary. To do this, there is a continuous interaction at each stage.
So, in an easy-to-understand manner, designing your API should provide a common platform to access any application or device data, whether through a website or mobile phone. You can delegate your API tasks to software development outsourcing services for this. They can assist in creating a robust API that seamlessly integrates with other applications.
Different Types of APIs
Some of the well-known APIs are as below:
- Java APIs
- Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP)
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- Representational State Transfer (REST)
The first happens in Java programming, and the other three are web-based APIs.
Some Best Practices for Creating APIs
Although each API is different from others and may depend on the requirements primarily, here are some of the best practices that can offer success while designing your APIs:
- Always go with the error status code, especially for developers using REST API design. It helps to identify the problem and address the issues quickly.
- It will be best to avoid using verbs in the URLs; instead, go for nouns.
- If you are working on collections, writing plural nouns instead of singular is advisable. It is helpful when people have to understand the meaning of a collection without the need to open it.
- Ensure your API is well documented and compiled to speed up the process.
- Make it a point that the API should return the error details in JSON format.
Bottom Line
By adhering to these above-mentioned best practices, you can create APIs beyond simple data exchange and serve as the foundation for innovation and seamless communication while becoming a successful developer. You may develop APIs that withstand the test of time by establishing a simple and intuitive API design, assuring reliable security measures, diligent documentation, and careful versioning techniques.
