API, Use and Development
An API is a set of rules, protocols, and tools for building software applications. It specifies how software components should interact. Essentially, an API allows two applications to talk to each other. I asked GPT for an example of this interaction and it gave me this simple example.
We have 4 main phases -that can be enhanced: Planning, Development, Testing, and Deployment.
Team members identify which services and capabilities an API should expose. Document specific business needs and refine the initial API goals into a comprehensive set of functional and nonfunctional requirements.
APIs can be written in many programming languages. Coding and testing might take numerous iterations. Ultimately, API development needs excellent planning, coding, and testing skills.
Developers must thoroughly test each iteration of the API for functionality, performance and user acceptance. Testers can loop unsatisfactory results back to developers to further build and refine the API code.
Once an API is stable and secure, it is ready for production. However, as with many software products, an API's initial release may act as a second stage of performance testing and validation.