Word of the Day: open API

Word of the Day Daily updates on the latest technology terms | August 10, 2018 open API (public API) An open API, also known as a public API, is an application programming interface that allows the owner of a network-accessible service to give universal access to consumers of that service, such as developers. An API is a software intermediary that makes it possible for application programs to interact with each other and share data. It's often an implementation of REST that exposes a specific service or software functionality while protecting the rest of the application. Open APIs are published on the internet and shared freely. A startup software company, for example, might publish a series of APIs to encourage third-party developers in vertical industries to be innovative and figure out new ways to use the startup's software product. In theory, it's a win-win business arrangement. Benefits of open APIs Using an open API, a third-party developer can make money by licensing a new program, a mashup with advanced functionalities or an innovative use of the service being accessed that provides users value in ways the originator of the service had never envisioned. Meanwhile, the open API's publisher gets to expand its user base without having to spend any money to develop niche industry software -- and it still gets to keep its source code proprietary. Drawbacks of open APIs An open API should be treated like any other customer-facing product because the reputation of the company can improve or suffer damage depending upon how the open API is received by the developers using it. With that in mind, it's crucial to avoid problems with open APIs. Just like any application an organization might release to the public, it is important to ensure an open API: Does not contain software bugs; Does not perform poorly; Does not contain security flaws; and Does not leak any private data. Furthermore, open APIs can be problematic for developers because the company publishing the API has all the power. If a startup ever decides to change the terms of use for its API, for example, or decides to charge a fee for licensing the API, a third-party developer has no choice but to accept it. Read more... Quote of the Day "Open APIs enable IT to provide users data regardless of location -- and in the user interface in which they are accustomed to working." - Laurence Hart Trending Terms REST ODMA API management JSON xAPI open source Learning Center How API-based integration dissolves SaaS connectivity limits Oracle's Vikas Anand discussed how API-based integration can help DevOps teams bypass limitations in SaaS integration and common integration challenges that plague hybrid IT environments. Manage APIs with connectivity-led strategy to cure data access woes Traditional IT created data silos that cause data access and delivery problems today. MuleSoft founder Ross Mason explains how to manage APIs with a connectivity-led strategy to achieve real-time data access and how APIs speed the adoption of new technologies, such as AI and FaaS. Healthcare APIs weave into common lingo of federal officials Healthcare APIs have captured the attention of federal health officials. The administrator of CMS, the head of ONC and the CTO of HealthCare.gov have all talked about the importance of application programming interfaces. API management platform trends to watch in 2018 In 2018, API management platform maturation and the convergence with iPaaS will help improve business integration and API lifecycle management. Select the best container monitoring tools for your environment Different kinds of container monitoring tools track a wide range of data that keeps applications, networks and servers running as they should. Quiz Yourself Open source describes any software whose source code is in the public domain or that is copyrighted and distributed under an ______________. a. open source license b. open-source license Answer Stay in Touch For feedback about any of our definitions or to suggest a new definition, please contact me at: mrouse@techtarget.com Visit the Word of the Day Archives and catch up on what you've missed! FOLLOW US About This E-Newsletter This e-newsletter is published by the TechTarget network. To unsubscribe from Whatis.com, click here. Please note, this will not affect any other subscriptions you have signed up for. TechTarget, Whatis, 275 Grove Street, Newton, MA 02466. Contact: webmaster@techtarget.com Copyright 2018 TechTarget. All rights reserved.