Cloud APIs and integration
APIs enable users and software to connect to cloud applications. Keep up with the latest news and techniques to build cloud APIs, maintain and secure them with the right management tools and navigate public cloud providers' lengthy lists of API services. Also, review general best practices for integrating cloud resources and applications.
Top Stories
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Tip
04 Jan 2022
Open vs. closed APIs: 4 crucial factors you should examine
Open and closed APIs both have their respective upsides and downsides. To choose the right approach, developers must examine four critical technical and business-level factors. Continue Reading
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News
07 Dec 2021
MuleSoft to add API management, governance tools
MuleSoft plans to release tools to catalog and manage APIs across multi-cloud environments to reduce redundancy, apply governance policies and build compliance. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2021
Partners get AWS Data Exchange, container market updates
New Data Exchange capabilities avoid ETL and provide consistent API governance, while a container marketplace update supports an expanded set of Kubernetes management tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Nov 2021
Start managing with these Microsoft Graph API features
Microsoft Graph offers several administrative advantages when handling jobs on Microsoft 365 and Azure AD, but be aware of some potential trouble spots when employing this technology. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Nov 2021
12 key steps for a successful cloud migration
Ready to move your on-premises apps to the cloud? From rehosting vs. redesigning to testing and monitoring, follow these key steps for a successful cloud migration. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Nov 2021
6 top API testing training and online courses
Numerous API testing and training certification courses are available to beginners and seasoned professionals, so we narrowed the field to some of the more comprehensive programs. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Jun 2021
How to build a CI/CD pipeline with Azure and GitHub
Some organizations need to build and deploy apps to specific cloud platforms. This walkthrough shows you step by step how to create a CI/CD pipeline using GitHub and Azure DevOps. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2021
5 bad practices that lead to insecure APIs in cloud computing
API security often feels complicated. However, your IT team will go a long way in securing its services if it avoids these common pitfalls in API design and implementation. Continue Reading
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News
03 Mar 2021
Microsoft ACS going GA with preview of Teams integration
Microsoft Azure Communication Services is now in preview, with deep integration with Microsoft Teams so developers can build real-time user experiences. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Feb 2021
Compare Azure DevOps vs. GitHub for CI/CD pipelines
GitHub is a more recognized name in the development community than Azure DevOps, but now that Microsoft owns both tools, developers need to see how they differ and work together. Continue Reading
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Opinion
11 Feb 2021
The Elasticsearch sideshow and why Algolia is the better bet
Elastic and AWS continue to make headlines over their licensing dispute, but the bickering avoids an important question: Is Elasticsearch still the right tool for the job? 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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Tip
31 Dec 2020
Review these top FAQs on cloud development APIs
APIs offer two capabilities central to cloud -- self-service and automation. APIs simplify application development, but there are limitations imposed by a lack of standardization. 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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News
09 Sep 2020
New Red Hat Marketplace pushes OpenShift to hybrid clouds
A new Red Hat marketplace is a one-stop shop for 50 OpenShift-certified applications that can operate like cloud services. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Aug 2020
Third-party cloud services for ETL and application testing
Don't default to your cloud provider's ETL and app testing services. Get to know third-party offerings and explore the advantages of using these tools in your cloud environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Jun 2020
How to apply serverless in front-end cloud computing
As application front ends move to the cloud, it's important for app designers and cloud users to understand how serverless and other models affect performance and cost. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 May 2020
How do I store secrets in AWS so they don't appear in my code?
To secure a cloud environment, IT teams must keep their application's secrets under wraps. Learn how AWS users can keep sensitive information out of their code with tools like Secrets Manager. Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2020
Backblaze S3-compatible APIs set up cloud battle
Backblaze releases S3-compatible APIs for its B2 Cloud Storage. Several vendor partners joined the launch with integrations. Uses include backup and archiving. Continue Reading
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News
05 May 2020
IBM, Red Hat move users toward edge computing, 5G networks
IBM and Red Hat have jumped into the edge computing market debuting a slew of products and services that work hand in glove with the existing hybrid cloud strategy it shares with Red Hat. Continue Reading
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News
23 Apr 2020
AWS launches Amazon AppFlow for SaaS integration
The newly launched Amazon AppFlow gives AWS an answer to the likes of Microsoft's Azure Logic Apps, for tying together its native services with SaaS application data. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jan 2020
Speed up AWS Lambda cold starts with these strategies
Cold starts are a common and frustrating issue for AWS Lambda users. Learn why they happen and how to prewarm Lambda environments to minimize latency. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Dec 2019
This 90-year-old business crushed application integration problems
By putting a microscope to a 90-year-old manufacturing company's digital transformation project, find out how application integration problems materialize and how to solve them. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2019
IBM's financial services cloud offers developer opportunity
IBM hopes to bring developers to its new financial services cloud that runs on the IBM Cloud platform and uses Red Hat OpenShift as its Kubernetes environment. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Nov 2019
Integrate applications with these 4 Azure integration tools
Integration can ensure consistent and scalable workflows in cloud applications, even connected to on-premises resources. Evaluate tools and services Azure offers for the task. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Oct 2019
Get up to speed on Azure's serverless functionality
With so many serverless tools on the market, it can be difficult to pick the right one. Review some of the features of Azure serverless options to help you choose. Continue Reading
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News
04 Oct 2019
Boomi platform adds API management, EDA support
The latest Boomi updates allow users to speed up implementation and allow IT pros to take better advantage of their data and applications. Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2019
Mesosphere's Kubernetes pivot sets stage for IT vendor attrition
Mesosphere becomes D2iQ, and affirms that Kubernetes is eating the world. Is IT entering a golden age of interoperability, or on the verge of mass consolidation? Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jul 2019
Manage cloud APIs wisely with these 4 tips
Users can get caught in the weeds of APIs in the cloud. Learn the best tools, top factors and cost optimization techniques for cloud APIs to maximize application performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jun 2019
Mock services create parity between local and cloud dev environments
Developers don't want to run into issues when moving between local and cloud development environments. Find out how to get parity between the two. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jun 2019
Netflix content engineers pick GraphQL over REST, Falcor
When the Netflix content engineering team chose a data query language for a new system to pull data from a variety of back-end services, they passed over REST to go with GraphQL. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jun 2019
Untangle cloud application integration spiderwebs
A migration is a big feat, but once you are in cloud it's not a 'set it and forget it' situation. Enterprises should take a closer look at integrations and connections. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Jun 2019
Citrix CEO David Henshall addresses Citrix news, sale rumors
In this Q&A, Citrix CEO David Henshall touches on sale rumors, the growth of cloud subscriptions and the importance of providing customers with options. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 May 2019
TOSCA and other cloud standardization efforts stall
As enterprises continue to work with multiple cloud models, they are sure to face integration, interoperability and portability issues. Cloud standards may still be the answer. Continue Reading
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News
28 May 2019
GitHub Enterprise security, monitoring tools target large orgs
Additional tools and services in GitHub Enterprise, such as security vulnerability alerts and auditing for open source dependencies, seek to satisfy the company's large customers. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 May 2019
Build a multi-cloud application with these 4 tips
A multi-cloud architecture is often more aspirational than practical, but it's doable if you plan ahead. Follow these tips to learn when and how to build apps to span multiple public clouds. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Apr 2019
Azure API Management consumption tier targets serverless
Azure's API Management consumption tier is built to manage serverless APIs, but it lacks many features users take for granted. Find out if its benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Apr 2019
How do I integrate cloud AI APIs into existing apps?
Learn how to build AI into your apps with the help of cloud services and prepare for some of the challenges you can expect to face along the way. Continue Reading
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Answer
09 Apr 2019
What are common uses for cloud AI APIs?
Curious about AI? See top use cases of how cloud-based AI APIs and services can boost application functionality. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2019
Get started with Google Cloud Deployment Manager
Deployment Manager is Google's infrastructure-as-code tool. Learn about its features and how to automate use of resources such as Compute Engine, GKE and BigQuery. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jan 2019
Get started with natural language processing APIs in cloud
As the cloud makes AI technology increasingly accessible to enterprises, more developers look to incorporate natural language processing into their apps. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Dec 2018
When to manage APIs with cloud-native vs. third-party tools
As enterprises break out applications into smaller components, both in the development cycle and for operational scalability, APIs become more important -- as does proper management. Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2018
Cloud cost management tools heat up with Apptio sale
Why does private equity firm Vista Equity Partners want to pay nearly $2 billion for IT spend analytics vendor Apptio? Here's a clue: It's the rise of hybrid cloud. Continue Reading
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Opinion
16 Oct 2018
Containers, cloud orchestration tools rattle DevOps foundation
Any form of virtualization that disconnects infrastructure from apps threatens the foundation of DevOps and could push IT toward more cloud-native and container orchestration tools. Continue Reading
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Quiz
28 Sep 2018
Quiz yourself on cloud-native app development tools
There are many app development tools in the cloud market, including those from top IaaS providers. Take this quiz to gauge your knowledge of some popular native options. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Aug 2018
Accelerate API dev with documentation-driven development
A missing cloud API doesn't mean all work needs to stop. Engineering and development teams can work with a mock API server until the real API is production-ready. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Aug 2018
Compare cloud API management tools from AWS, Azure and Google
While the API management tools from top cloud providers share some functionality, there are key differences that developers -- especially those in a multi-cloud model -- should know. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 May 2018
Three ways to prepare applications for serverless platforms
Compared to those that run in more traditional PaaS or IaaS environments, apps on serverless platforms bring a unique set of demands around performance, storage and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 May 2018
Cloud-based applications pose tough integration challenges
Even though SaaS applications are now indispensible to many enterprises, their lack of flexibility still presents a challenge around integration and management. Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2018
Blockchain and cloud combine to fuel enterprise adoption
While still in its infancy, blockchain technology is no longer theoretical. And cloud providers will line up to cash in, as enterprises plan to invest millions. Continue Reading
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News
20 Feb 2018
Xively buy broadens Google Cloud IoT tool utility
The latest Google Cloud acquisition points to a doubling down on IoT, as the company tries to keep pace with AWS and Microsoft Azure in this emerging market. Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2018
Can niche cloud players take on hyperscale cloud providers?
AWS, Azure and GCP are top of mind for public cloud market share, but companies lower down the ranks want their piece of the pie, too. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Dec 2017
What is a Helm Chart and how can it improve microservices?
Learn about Helm Charts and how Kubernetes supports a microservices architecture. Expert Ken Milberg discusses what you need to know before delving in. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2017
Techniques for optimizing microservice performance in the cloud
Learn how to prevent bottlenecks, create efficient deployment and avoid security issues to ensure optimal microservice performance in the cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Apr 2017
Build an effective API management system for multicloud
APIs play a critical role in cloud, allowing apps and services to communicate with each other. But with multiple cloud providers in the mix, API management gets complicated. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Feb 2017
Get started with the Azure API Management service
APIs are vital to open the communication lines between cloud apps, and proper management of those APIs is also critical. Learn how Azure's API service can kick start that process. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jan 2017
The what, why and how of the TOSCA cloud standard
As the acceptance of DevOps rises, the TOSCA standard has become a popular option for cloud application deployment. Here's a closer look at how it works. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Sep 2015
Three issues that hinder cloud computing API performance
APIs can be critical to a cloud application's success. But if poorly designed, they can also be a big headache for cloud providers, developers and users. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Aug 2015
Cloud-based integration seeks to tear down data silos
As companies adopt a pantheon of cloud apps, so grows the risk of having isolated bodies of data. The cloud-based integration of far-flung systems can have divine results. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Oct 2014
How to secure REST API endpoints for cloud applications
When designing APIs, developers must make good decisions about security design components that show who's using what API, when and for what purpose. This tip offers insights into the critical components for securing APIs. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
01 Mar 2011
Cloud computing development for beginners
Cloud newbies that find themselves navigating unfamiliar terrain should check out this collection of tips, tutorials and news for a cloud development orientation. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Jan 2011
Why is cloud computing so hard to understand?
In this chapter excerpt, see why cloud computing can be considered both a tangible delivery model and a buzzword for advanced IT services. Continue Reading
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News
02 Jan 2011
Thoughts on cloud API standards from Cloud Camp Boston 2010
The current state of cloud and API standards is a near match for early SOA and Web services standards, but the cloud standards groups have a chance to learn from their mistakes. Continue Reading
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News
24 Sep 2010
Oracle World 2010: When hardware met software
Center stage at Oracle World was the ExaLogic cloud in a box. It puts together Oracle VMs on Solaris or Linux, clustered WebLogic servers, the Coherence data cache, as well as Oracle JRockit and HotSpot Java Virtual Machines all optimized and running in a 386-architeced box with racks connected by InfiniBand, and employing a clustering scheme that works nicely with ExaData. Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2010
Say it ain't NoSQL
''The idea of 'NoSQL' started out in a bit of a negative way. But now people tend to mean 'Not Only SQL' rather than just 'NoSQL.''' That is the discussion distributed computing veteran Nati Shalom says he is seeing. Continue Reading
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News
07 Dec 2009
A 'mainframe guy' talks SOA and private cloud
In his CMG'09 talk, "A Mainframe Guy Discovers SOA and Cloud Computing," IBM Manager of IT Training Glenn Anderson looks at the next leap for mainframes now that SOA has become a reality. Continue Reading
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News
01 Dec 2009
Mainframe-centric CMG conference looks at cloud
As the Computer Measurement Group's (CMG) 36th annual CMG Conference kicks off in Dallas, Texas next week, cloud computing will be the center of attention. Continue Reading