Why Should You Focus on API-First Design in Software Development?

As the name suggests, In API-First Design in software development, your APIs are given prime importance. APIs are considered the bedrock of an application where development team speeds up building application, enhance collaboration and boost flexibility. In this approach, developers create APIs that are consistent and reusable. We will go through the meaning, benefits and the steps in API-first design in this article.

What does API-first design mean?

With the help of an API description language that defines how an API behaves. By prioritizing API design, API-first ensures consistent and reusable APIs, facilitated by API description languages that define the API’s behavior. While relying API-first design, the fundamental idea is to build APIs that will be used by other applications, especially mobile applications. Therefore, API-first design intends to build solid API which integrates into several other systems. The very purpose is to offer a smooth user experience across several devices and platforms.

What are the reasons behind the growing popularity of API-first design?

Now a days both humans and machines use data. It is obvious that people use data through apps on several devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops. These devices have different screen sizes and enterprises have to build apps that function better across all the devices. APIs help companies to break down their services into small, autonomous parts called microservices. Developers can build applications based on microservices focusing on building APIs that can be used for several applications for all devices irrespective of their scree size, the operating systems and platforms.

What are the benefits of API-First design approach?

An API-first design for developing applications offers several advantages such as:

Developers can work concurrently
The approach establishes a contract in the first place. It helps developers to work on several projects at the very same time. 

In fact, they don’t need to wait for updates related to an API before they move to another API. Also, they can mock API and easily test API dependencies in accordance with the established definition.

Improves time to market

The use of automated tools helps with effortless import of API definition files. These tools also auto-generate the API tools including API documentation, software development kit (SDKs) and mock APIs. In essence, automation accelerates the creation of APIs and applications. 

API-first design also allows developers to add new services to applications. Further developers need not re-build the system. As we know, accelerating app development is a must in today’s fast paced world. Therefore, API-first design is a great solution to beat the hiccups in software development.

Minimized cost for app development

The code and APIs can be reused for several other projects. In fact, the development team is not required to start fresh when they want to build a new application. 

Further, it doesn’t consume time compared to starting from scratch. Also, it prevents any issues when they integrated APIs with applications. Software development businesses across the world and software development services in the UK help businesses implement API-first design to expedite the application development process.

Reduce the instances of risks

Today, APIs are used in every business. From communication, marketing, sales, logistics to transportation, APIs are essential, and they influence every realm of their business activity. 

The API-first design focuses on minimizing risks by guaranteeing the reliability of APIs.

Elevates Developer Experience
A well-developed, well designed and documented, reliable APIs transcend developer experiences. Furthermore, as mentioned above, such APIs help reuse code and onboard developers easily. As a result, it minimized the learning curve.

How do you plan your API-First project?

The steps below explain the planning process in your API-first design project.

Brainstorming

Like in every process, as a first step, it is important to identify the key services offered by the business. Find out the API types that needs to be developed and the services to be provided through the APIs. Additionally, list down the applications of each APIs to be developed.

Identify API stakeholders

Assess the stakeholders and involve maximum number of people in the process, encourage collaboration among the stakeholders. The participation and collaboration among the stakeholders help ensure a shared understanding of the API’s functionality and objectives. Further, it helps align the API with the businesses’ strategies and remove any possible issues.

Designing API contract

The contract help establish a set of best practices and standards for developing and designing APIs. Developers should document the APIs and they have to check if the APIs work from the URLs, end point names, versioning and error codes.

Creating a style guide

A style guide guarantees consistency across the teams who create services. This helps standardizing AOI status codes, error handling, versioning and so on. There are several automation tools for creating style guide for all APIs within your enterprise.

Adopt API governance

AIPI governance help enforce the established standards and states the desired results. A peer code review will help ensure if the design standards are adhered to and also verifies if the developers use quality code.

Process automation

Automate API documentation, versioning, style validation using automation tools. Also. empower your developers with self-service so that they can start developing apps with the APIs straight away. Provide interactive documentation to help developers try out API endpoints. 

Monitor API portfolio

Track and manage APIs to avoid code duplication and the presence of redundant APIs. Also, if possible, use a system that helps easily track the APIs. It should be noted that when your enterprise is large, it is difficult to monitor and manage APIs and API dependencies.

Use a portal for storing APIs

Create a dedicated platform where internal developers can access and store API documentation, contracts, code samples and other key resources. It will help with the software development process and enhance collaboration among developers.

Final Remarks

API-first design approach focuses on API development with clear, reusable and consistent base for application development. It helps with swift development process, enhanced collaboration and scalability. It makes use of microservice architecture facilitating agile development and ultimately flexible and fast software development solutions.