API Development
An API (Application Programming Interface) is an interface that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. This ability makes them essential for creating scalable and flexible digital services and applications.
API usage is widespread, with a 2022 Rapid report highlighting that 75% of developers use internal APIs, and nearly 54% engage with third-party APIs.
JHMG’s API Development Process
Our approach to API development is structured around four main phases, ensuring a comprehensive and meticulous process:
- Design: The initial phase is generally a part of our scoping services and involves making decisions about how the API will function and handle data. By understanding the API’s requirements and final expectations, we can recommend the most suitable design and architecture.
- Develop & Test: This phase translates the design into functional code. Our team deliberates on the best programming languages and development protocols, whether SOAP APIs, RESTful APIs, or other approach to APIs, depending on the project’s needs. Since APIs often deal with accessing sensitive data, systems are tested thoroughly to ensure functionality meets requirements.
- Deploy: After development, the next step is to make the API accessible to the intended users and applications. Our deployment strategies ensure that the API is scalable, secure, and ready for consumption.
- Manage: Firms often overlook API documentation, testing, and monitoring. We create extensive, user-friendly documentation and implement robust testing and monitoring procedures to maintain high performance and swiftly resolve any issues.
API Development Deliverables
Our API development services encompass the entire lifecycle of API development, including the following key deliverables:
This document outlines the architecture, endpoints, data models, and security protocols of the API, providing a clear blueprint for its development and integration.
We provide a fully developed and commented source code for the API that follows best practices for readability, maintainability, and scalability. This includes choosing a programming language and development protocols tailored to the project’s needs.
This is a detailed guide on deploying the API, including the necessary environment setups, dependencies, and step-by-step instructions for making the API accessible to its intended users and applications.
This detailed plan outlines the support and updates the API will receive post-deployment. It includes schedules for regular maintenance, updates, security patches, and a channel for reporting and resolving issues.
- Reference Documentation: These are detailed descriptions of the API’s endpoints, methods, resources, authentication procedures, parameters, and headers.
- Tutorials: These are step-by-step guides to help developers understand how to use the API effectively.
- Examples and Code Samples: We provide practical code examples illustrating how to make requests to the API and handle responses.
- Release Notes: We provide additional information on the latest features, bug fixes, and changes made during the API’s development lifecycle.
- API Testing Framework: This framework configures tools and scripts for manual and automated API testing to verify the API’s functionality, performance, and security.
- API Monitoring Dashboard: We provide access to a dashboard that provides real-time insights into the API’s performance, including error rates, latency metrics, and usage patterns. This tool is essential for proactively identifying and resolving issues.
These deliverables ensure that clients receive a fully functional and scalable API and the tools, documentation, and support necessary to manage and extend their API effectively over time.