A company whose bread and butter is custom software development needs to keep up with all the latest trends. That means keeping up with the latest APIs from all the most popular business tools. To say that APIs play a crucial role in custom software development is to state the obvious.
A Software Intermediary
Known formally as an application program interface, the API is essentially an intermediary between differing software systems. APIs allow different applications and services to share data. They facilitate integration so that systems maintain full functionality even while interacting with one another.
At the heart of every API is a core set of rules and protocols. They define how participating systems interact. For example, consider web APIs. Their core function is to facilitate interaction between web-based services and other applications.
How APIs Affect Custom Software Development
As a company that specializes in custom software development, we work with both off-the-shelf and custom APIs on a regular basis. We know firsthand just how crucial they are to the development process. Understanding their role really boils down to knowing how APIs affect what software developers do.
1. Development Speed
Developing custom software can be a time-consuming enterprise. It does not have to be though. At Modest, we manage development speed by utilizing a modular system. But APIs also have an impact on speed.
APIs give us access to pre-built functions and services out of the box. By plugging in the appropriate APIs, we avoid having to build certain portions of our custom software from scratch. This speeds up the process and reduces overall development time.
2. Better Integration
If custom business software has a weak point, it would be interoperability with other systems and applications. APIs reduce interoperability problems by facilitating better integration with third-party services, applications, and databases. Better integration means a more seamless experience along with streamlined functionality.
3. Enhanced Function
Certain types of APIs give us access to advanced features, functions, and capabilities. In addition, APIs offer software developers access to third-party services without having to build those services from scratch. It all adds up to a level of enhanced function that makes a custom software package worth investing in.
4. Improved Scalability
Scalability is always a concern when designing custom software. Businesses need the ability to quickly scale in either direction as circumstances demand. But if a custom software developer does not know how to make its product scalable, there is a problem. APIs can make a significant difference.
Some APIs lend themselves very well to scaling because they allow developers to adapt to new technologies and features. Not only that, but developers can also adapt more quickly due to API standardization.
5. Lower Development Costs
Rounding things out is the potential for robust API deployment to lower development costs. APIs standardize communication and data transfer. They leverage existing functionalities that save developers the time and effort that would otherwise be put into developing those functionalities from the ground up.
APIs Are Building Blocks
A good way to think of APIs is to look at them as building blocks. Developers can deploy specific APIs and then build around them. Where there is a gap in the code, it can probably be filled with another API.
Note that we have simplified this explanation of APIs to help our readers understand the crucial role they play in custom software development. Needless to say, we rely on APIs even though we use a modular system for developing custom business software. In the end, it all works out to your benefit through business software you can actually afford.