I: Introduction to Web API Design

APIs are forever. Once an API is integrated into a production application, it is difficult to make significant changes that could potentially break those existing integrations. Design decisions made in haste become future areas of confusion, support issues, and lost opportunities far into the future. The API design phase is an important part of any delivery schedule.

Part 1 examines the fundamentals of software design and how it produces a positive or negative impact on API design. It then examines the API first design process and presents an overview of an API design process. This process incorporates an outside-in perspective to deliver an effective API to meet the needs of customers, partners, and the workforce.