The software comes with a well-documented installation process for manual installation, but also includes a Bitnami installer, Docker image, and guides for installing on cloud server providers such as AWS or Azure. DreamFactory can be installed on a LAMP stack (Linux, Apace, MySQL, PHP), though the software can take advantage of other available tools, such as Node.js, for tasks such as custom scripting for API responses if such tools are also available on the hosting server. They operate like many other open source projects on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, offering hosting solutions, some advanced functionality, and enterprise-grade support for those who do not wish to self-host the software. DreamFactory is open source, though that fact is not as heavily emphasized on their site as it used to be, and their code is available on Github. There are multiple API management platforms available, including Apigee, Mulesoft, and those provided by many of the major cloud hosting services (AWS, Microsoft, etc.), but this article will primarily focus on DreamFactory, which is what has been used for the projects discussed here. But since web development is no longer the primary function of my job, these apps have to be created quickly and be easily maintained, which is helped tremendously by an API management platform.Īt its core, an API management platform is a piece of software, generally with a Graphical User Interface and hosted on a server, that allows for easy management of API endpoints. My job has since changed to include overseeing many of the innovative technology spaces in the building, and as an extension of that job, I create web apps that help gather data about usage, patron engagement, patron feedback, and apps that display visualizations and analysis of the collected data. When I was originally hired at the University Libraries at Virginia Tech, I was hired as a Web Application Developer. This is where an API management platform can help save you some time and effort. Ensuring the API is secured for usage and has all the needed functionality and endpoints can often be more work and maintenance than the app itself. One of the most time-consuming elements in creating a new web project can be coding the API for data interaction, especially if the overall goal is that the application will be able to interface with other web apps at your library or feed into a central data collection mechanism.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |