API design and development tools
There are API design and development tools for almost any scenario you can imagine. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to pick the right combination of tools to meet your needs. Our experts explore available cataloging, model enforcement, code generation and API testing tools, as well as how to choose the right sets of tools for your goals.
Top Stories
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Tip
02 Sep 2021
Should you adopt an API-first approach to development?
While the code-first approach certainly works, its appeal is fading as architectures become increasingly complex webs of software. Learn why the API-first approach is catching on. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Jul 2021
An intro to the 5 SOLID principles of object-oriented design
In this primer on SOLID, we'll examine the five principles it embodies, the practices they encourage and the reasons these concepts matter. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jun 2021
The 6 non-negotiable REST architecture constraints
While REST-centric design isn't necessarily hard, there are some non-negotiable rules when it comes to resource provisioning. Here are six all architects should know. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jun 2021
Event-driven vs. message-driven: It comes down to complexity
While the goal doesn't change, how do message-driven and event-driven design approaches really differ? More importantly, how do you choose the right approach? Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jun 2021
22 API management interview questions and answers
This guide provides a comprehensive list of questions and answers for those interviewing for API management positions. Review these 22 potential questions to help prepare. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jun 2021
IPaaS vs. API management: Why the enterprise needs both
Enterprise iPaaS and API management integrate applications and data, but it's not a choice of one or the other. Here's why you probably need both, and why planning is necessary. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Feb 2021
Explore 6 popular API gateway tools and how to choose one
Plenty of vendors have jumped on the API gateway trend, which can make it difficult to choose the right one for you. We examine the key features of six popular gateway tools. Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2021
Google launches Apigee X API management tool
Google's new Apigee X API management system helps users develop and manage their API strategies and enjoy more security, performance, networking and app-dev capabilities. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Dec 2020
Webhooks explained simply, and how they differ from an API
Webhooks and APIs seem to both accomplish the same goal. So what's the difference? We review what a webhook does, how it differs from an API, and where it is the right design choice. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Dec 2020
Two simple ways to create custom APIs in Azure
Learn how to create custom APIs in Azure through both Azure Portal and Visual Studio Code, and review some post-deployment best practices that add value and security to those APIs. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2020
A head-to-head GraphQL vs. REST performance faceoff
Both GraphQL and REST aim to simplify API development processes, but which one is right for your project? Find out by examining this API design style faceoff. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Oct 2020
Book details API design best practices
APIs are designed for people you've never met to solve problems you didn't know existed. With that in mind, how do you design and build them well? Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Sep 2020
Design IoT user interfaces beyond the screen
IoT technology has expanded into everyday objects and work equipment; yet, it remains largely invisible. This market opportunity brings novel UX challenges for designers. Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2020
Google Cloud's new app platform aims for no-code edge
Google Cloud brings low-code application development and API management to its new Business Application Platform, but robotic process automation isn't yet in the mix. Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2020
TypeScript's co-creator speaks out on TypeScript 4.0
A co-creator of Microsoft's TypeScript programming language says TypeScript 4.0 improves developer productivity and moves toward first-class status in the JavaScript ecosystem. Continue Reading
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News
10 Aug 2020
IBM's OpenAPI Comment Parser helps devs document APIs
IBM's OpenAPI Comment Parser gives developers a new tool to simplify the process of documenting APIs, so that developers down the line will be able to use them with less effort. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Apr 2020
Getting to know the API proxy
Explore the capabilities and practical uses for an API proxy, as well as examine the relationship between an API proxy and an API gateway. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Feb 2020
Understand how to apply SOA for IoT
IoT service-oriented architecture can simplify the process of adjusting an IoT deployment to changes in the real-world by focusing on functionality instead of events. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Jan 2020
The 3 fundamentals of hybrid cloud architecture management
When an enterprise chooses hybrid cloud, it needs to ensure the application harmonizes between the two environments. Review these three tips on architecture, integration and APIs. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jan 2020
How to improve API documentation with Swagger and OpenAPI
Discover why developers should take advantage of Swagger tooling and the OpenAPI specification to streamline API design, documentation and management, especially for RESTful APIs. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
31 Dec 2019
5 predictions for 2020 software architecture trends
The past decade brought big changes to app development and management. Now, our contributors predict what the biggest software architecture trends of 2020 will be. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Dec 2019
Apigee vs. Mulesoft: An API management platform face-off
Mulesoft and Apigee are two of the most widely used API management platforms around. This article places them side by side to compare their pros and cons. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Nov 2019
API gateway comparison: Kong vs. Tyk
API gateways help organizations smooth out interactions among microservices. This side-by-side rundown of Kong vs. Tyk will help you choose which tool fits your business' needs. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Sep 2019
Can API mapping fix data integration problems?
The more distributed and complex a modern application is, the more likely an API mapping tool should join the developers' arsenal for efficient design and troubleshooting. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Aug 2019
Think carefully about API language standards
API language standards were few and far between in the past, but now cloud has made API standardization more important than ever. Learn what you need to know about these standards. Continue Reading