Extending OpenAPI
One of OpenAPI's unsung heroes is its ability to be extended elegantly. Also in this dispatch: Gin, the HTTP framework for Go, Upyo for sending email, Leaf Wiki, and the HTTP OPTIONS method.
If you use OpenAPI long enough, you may eventually hit a roadblock.
Honestly, the main response I see is to give up and walk away, but did you know OpenAPI can be extended? Kin Lane has a great breakdown of an API Gateway extending the specification. OpenAPI also has a registry for all types of extensions. Registering something you built here also helps the OpenAPI team decide what to adopt in their roadmaps.
-- Alexander
Building Gin: Simple Over Easy
Did you know Gin was built to power a social network? Gin is one of the best HTTP frameworks for Go, created by Manu Martínez-Almeida. Manu walks us through what inspired him to build Gin and how it has since grown without him. A great read on how aiming for simplicity, not complexity, made things easy to use and for others to build on.
Finally, a Great Email API
I honestly f***ing hate plugging in email providers to a backend. You normally end up switching providers, encountering runtime issues, or dealing with breaking API changes. Well, no more. Finally, a unified API that runs in all JS runtimes and swapping providers is a single-line change; how I have longed for this.
Seeking CMMS people
Do you work with CMMS (not CMS 😄) APIs? Greg Wolanski is working on a research project and would love to learn from your experience. Email Greg to schedule a paid interview. sponsored
Postgres to API with Prest
Do you need a simple API layer on top of your Postgres? Well, say hello to Prest. Smash out a quick REST API on top of your DB, a nice, quick, low-code solution.
Discovering features using HTTP OPTIONS
I have talked to many developers who have no idea what OPTIONS actually is. It has a few uses, but its main one is to help clients find out what is possible here. Evert Pot gives us a delightful walk-through on everything OPTIONS can do. An easy, fun read. Thank you, Evert. I enjoyed this one a lot.
Leaf Wiki
Not strictly API focused, but a wonderful, easy-to-deploy docs or wiki. A single Go binary using SQLite and Markdown. No external database, it just works. They have a wonderful little demo you can check out as well.
FastAPI Cloud
If you're out of the loop, a while back, FastAPI launched its own cloud platform for deploying and scaling your FastAPI applications. Recently, their website and docs got a makeover. Last time I checked in on this, it was still in beta and has come a long way since then.
APIs You Won't Hate
The latest from the team at API's You Won't Hate.
The Strangler Fig Pattern: How to Rebuild Everything
A crossover from Mike's 💌 Tiny Improvements newsletter, he talks about a software engineering pattern used when it's time to rebuild everything... responsibly. This one's broader than APIs - architecture, framework, the kitchen sink - it all fits in here.
From the Community
Articles written and shared in our free Slack community.
Prototype to Operator
Our very own Mike recently shared his thoughts on extended support in our Slack group. So many docs, SDKs, and APIs focus on getting you started but not on long-term use, scaling, and high-use gotchas. Personally, I chalk this up to open-source contributors having limited time, or to new customers being a priority for the business, not existing ones. He is right; however, I wish more places had time or resources for this level of care.
Support APIs You Won't Hate
When you become an member, you'll get access to members-only content while directly supporting our work. Your support helps us to keep making resources for the API community.
Become a member todayThanks so much to our members: Kin, Juxt, Alex R, Nolan S, Brandon K, Frank, James D, Bill D, and Abdelhadi D. Your support means the world to us!
✌️ Until next time,
Alexander, Phil & Mikes
