Net API Notes for 2020/02/06 - Issue 120
This week I had the pleasure of presenting the DC Web API meetup group. Increasingly, talks that I give contains multitudes; pairing down all the possible tangents to a single, straightforward path is a challenge. "Why AI Success is Built on APIs" was no different.
I hope to have my slides and a transcript to the event published to my website within the next week. Until then, however, let's get to this batch of notes!
NOTES
MICROSERVICES AND FAILURE MODES
If you've been in the API space for a while, you'll recognize the name Adrian Cockcroft. Adrian was one of the leading voices outta Netflix during its ascend to cargo cult-able status. He's since gone on to do other things. However, he still spends a fair amount commenting on the space, as demonstrated with his talk on microservices and failure modes.
When a team takes on microservices, there is a trade-off. Yes, a single producer gains implementation simplicity in only having to deal with a small bounded context, (ideally) freed from communication overhead. However, to be successful, the organization takes on deployment, organizational, and awareness complexity. As Adrian covers, teams need to understand these challenges.
API SECURITY MODELS, THE API SECURITY MODEL
Curity has long preached quality API security practices. Their recently published API Security Model is no exception.
We are at the point in 2020, where API security can no longer be an afterthought. When designing an API, the use cases, sensitivity of the data, and appropriate handling must be considered up front. Curity and their expert content on the subject is a great place to start.
INSTANT API TEST PLATFORMS WITH PRISM AND POSTMAN
Theory is one thing. But straightforward, actionable posts that leave me feeling empowered are another. Lorna Jane has written one of those with her write-up entitled "Instantly Test API Platforms with Prism and Postman.
Lorna provides practical advice for quickly testing an API design. As always, mocking the creation, and subsequent retrieval of new resources can get a bit tricky. But for quickly knocking out interfaces for a use case "smell test", Prism is a great approach.
MILESTONES
- Stoplight.io raised $6 million to continue building out its design management toolkit. That brings the total investment in the Austin based firm to $10.65 million since its inception in 2015. They've been on a bit of a feature tear, which you can read about between Phil Sturgeon's European-bike-tour tweets.
- Github Actions now has an API. Interestingly, despite Github notably having a GraphQL API, this new capability is REST-based.
- Google is depreciating version 3 of its Google Sheets API in March 2020. This requires developers to migrate to version 4. Given that not all of the functionality in version 3 is available in version 4, this has caused something of a kerfuffle.
- Schema.org 6.0 is released. Whether you're a passionate JSON-LD user or just looking for some ideas on your own structured objects, give it a look.
- The Austin API Meetup is looking for speakers and topic ideas for 2020.
- Erik Wilde has started a new API basics series on YouTube. Really. Smash that subscribe button and become part of Erik's rung-by-the-bell squad! (I think that's what the thinkfluencers say now, right?)
WRAPPING UP
I've recently added the upcoming API the Docs events to NetAPI.events. It remains a great place to find in-person meetups, hackathons, and or conferences worldwide in the API community. Furthermore, if you know of an event that should be listed, let me know.
To end, I need to thank my Patreons. Like before, they can soak in my thanks, given that it is the size of a backyard pool. What's new, however, is that they'll also be getting these fancy-schmancy (and legally-dubious) laptop stickers. Interested in getting a set of you're own? Sign up to be a Patreon today and the sum total of worldwide postal excellence will see to make it happen!
Till next time,
Matthew @libel_vox and matthewreinbold.com