Enterprise architect's guide to API best practices and trends

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Learn about latest advancements and API best practices in this guide. Get an introduction to design tips and strategies, and a glossary of must-know terms.

GUIDE CONTENTS

• • 1. - Latest in API development and management
  • 2. - Where APIs are headed
• • 3. - Common API terms
  • 4. - Prove your API knowledge

While anything but new, application program interfaces (APIs) haven't always in the spotlight. Now, the programming tool is becoming increasingly important, thanks to advances in mobile, cloud and machine-to-machine technologies.

More than ever before, organizations are looking for ways to speed API development as systems are becoming overwhelmed with data. Enterprise architects are commonly tasked with developing and managing APIs, making it critical to know how the technology is changing integration and software development.

This guide brings together a collection of articles and key terms related to API best practices and development. When you're done, see how much you've learned by taking our quiz.

OVERVIEW

1. Latest in API development and management

Whether your organization is a startup looking to become the next big sensation or a firmly established company, turning to an open API provides it the opportunity to share data. In order to effectively manage the cross-communication tool, it's important to be privy to API best practices and development trends.

Read on to get the basics of API development and management.

• How to make API management, development and strategy choices

  With the influx of mobile and cloud applications, it's more important than ever to have a sound API strategy in place.

  FAQ

• Why an enterprise needs effective API management

  While some of the hype around SOA architecture may have died down, the importance of API management remains.

  ANSWER

• How API development, SOA and the cloud come together

  API development is becoming increasingly important, as APIs are playing a bigger role than in the past.

  ANSWER

• Advice for avoiding common API design traps

  Architects need to look at a new kind of API design based on resources and verbs instead of technical, self-defining data models.

  TIP

TRENDS

2. Where APIs are headed

It's not enough to be able to wrap your head around what an API can and can't do for an organization. Technology professionals have to be thinking one step ahead of what is currently taking place. Some experts predict cloud and mobile technologies are just beginning to impact APIs.

The following is a collection of articles focusing on the latest trends and API best practices.

• Mobile, cloud applications push APIs to the next level

  Basics found in REST will help keep developers from being overwhelmed as they navigate software application development.

  FEATURE

• Value, importance of APIs realized by IT departments

  Delivering software is important, but in this age of social media and networked infrastructure, allowing various pieces of software to integrate seamlessly is of heightened importance. This makes the development of externally facing client APIs more important than ever.

  FEATURE

• Using Representational State Transfer (REST) and JSON to build APIs

  Learn tips on best practices for building REST and JSON APIs from a presenter at JavaOne 2013.

  CONFERENCE NEWS

• Latest trends in API management and development

  Experts share their insights on API development and what architects can do to keep track of the evolving technology.