While no two APIs are exactly the same, they do tend to share a lot of characteristics, from design features to data formats. Looking closely at these traits allows us to identify distinct types of APIs, which we can use to set clear expectations, discuss what does (and doesn’t) work, and stick to relevant best practices. Read more
With all of the love and proclamations about REST, we can sometimes forget that it’s simply one of many options. REST is a very good standard for a wide variety of APIs, but there are other API design styles for more nuanced scenarios. Read more
What kind of API style should you be using? From SOAP, to REST, GraphQL, and new styles like gRPC, there are many competing standards for designing APIs and the way consumers interact with them. We’ve written about each before, but as the industry changes rapidly, there are always new concerns and opportunities for comparison. Read more
While most developers are aware of Roy Fielding and REST, fewer may be aware of the Richardson Maturity Model. Though the Richardson Maturity Model is often considered more esoteric in comparison to its more famous compatriots, it can serve as a goalpost to achieving truly complete and useful APIs. Read more
There are very few names as ubiquitous as Google. While Google is best known for its search engine and for its suite of productivity applications, some of its most powerful work is in the functional aspects of the world wide web and the protocols that drive it. Read more
