From chief archaeologist to modern explorer
In the past, discovering existing APIs within an organization often felt like archaeology — digging through legacy systems, documentation, and code bases to unearth reusable components. Some have (maybe just me) even referred to themselves as the resident chief archaeologist, sifting through layers of code in search of hidden treasures. This manual approach is time-consuming and inefficient, akin to wandering the mall without a map.
Fortunately, advancements in technology have provided new tools that transform how we discover and manage APIs. These solutions move beyond the archaeology aspect, offering sophisticated “mall maps” for the API ecosystem. They provide features like automated discovery, cataloging, and documentation, enabling organizations to have a comprehensive view of their API landscape. Developers no longer need to be archaeologists; instead, they can become modern explorers, leveraging these platforms to find and integrate APIs effortlessly.
Challenges in API adoption
Despite the clear benefits, many large enterprises struggle to fully embrace the potential of APIs. In our own research, where we surveyed enterprise-wide API developers, several major challenges emerged: