APIs (Application Program Interfaces) are one of the major building blocks in the world of information technology. The concept of API can be seen as an architectural technique that dates as far back as computer science.

APIs enhance the information exchange between systems and solutions. It also helps to execute business transactions and invoke business logic. APIs have seen rapid growth over the years. They increasingly played a big role in system architecture and modernization.

As of 2017, public APIs that were available surpassed 18,000. This number shows that over the previous year, about 2,000 new APIs have been released. One of the things that brought about this increase in API is the concept of reuse. This concept brings about the generation of revenue from investments made on technological assets which API stands to be one.

API reuse has brought about several capabilities. These capabilities may include information flow and usage of APIs beyond the boundaries of organizations and companies.

APIs design is unique and also have controls that allow the management of their own life cycle. The designs also include:

Standardization: This is a way for APIs to be consumed and expressed uniformly.

Versioning: This is the ability to change without the need to render previous versions of the same API.

Information control: This is a means for handling and enriching the information provided by the API. Examples of this information are message brokers, metadata, service buses, hooks for middleware platforms, and methods involved in handling record batches. Information control also clarifies how APIs route, manipulate, and communicate the information that is been exchanged.

Adopting API via Developer Portals

One of the major factors responsible for API adoption is effective communication. Since APIs lack a user interface, documentation is the general approach for communicating the process involved in using the API. So in other words, you can say your API documentation is the user interface of your API.

Several API communication styles are brought together by developer portals. This communication also teaches developers how to integrate and use your API.

API Documentation and its Values

API documentation is the general medium of communication between the API provider and the API consumer. However, it is important to know that developers cannot see the source code behind your API unless it is open-source. In view of this, the only thing consumers get from your API is your documentation. So without complete and clear documentation, consumers will find it difficult to use your API.

In most cases, the term API documentation is used as if there's only one kind. It is quite important to create a good reference for your consumers. Several tools like RAML, Blueprint, and Swagger can help in building these references. However, complete documentation of an API requires more than just building references in PDF and HTML format. It requires possessing a developer portal that'll pull together everything an API consumer needs to be successful.

Importance of Developer Portal to your API program

A great developer portal is known by the quality of its contents and how they contribute to the adoption of your API. These contents show why a developer portal is important to any API. Below is a detailed list of those contents.

Discovery and Features

This content gives an overview of the API. It addresses concerns such as the capabilities, pricing, and benefits of your API.

Case Studies

This concept is beneficial to a consumer who seeks to use your API for the first time. It gives a list of applications created using your API.

Reference Docs

This content gives a detailed reference for every API endpoint to developers. It also gives details on the response codes, URL, data formats, and HTTP verbs supported. This is where tools like RAML, Blueprint, and Swagger formats come into play. They are used to create the documentation of an API.

Guides

The initial learning curve of an API is one of the most taxing aspects for a new user or consumer. Guides help with learning the concept of an API and it's vocabulary. This is very important especially in the critical stage of API familiarization.

Problems and Resolution

Troubleshooting error response codes of an API can be a lot easier. This is made possible with API documentation. It also eases the burden on support staff and developers.

Change Log

This content gives detail on what has recently been improved or added. This will help developers and other consumers to sort new ways to integrate your API.

Going Beyond Content

Besides contents, there are some other disciplines that make up a great developer portal. These disciplines are detailed below.

Easy Onboarding

If an API is difficult to get started with, it'll result in a low adoption rate. An API should be easy to onboard. This will help consumers to overcome the difficulties involved in adopting new APIs.

Operational status

In most cases, developers would like to know the availability of your API. A simple status page can solve this problem. The page will also help operations staff to see the number of mistakes in their applications.

Live Support

It is important to provide a chat solution for consumers. It can be a communication platform or embedded in your developer portal. This will allow those who can help to provide a solution to new users and developers.