Practical API Design

The definitive guide to API design, this book will be required reading for all designers and engineers involved with the development, testing, and maintenance of APIs.

You might think more than enough design books exist in the programming world already. In fact, there are so many that it makes sense to ask why you would read yet another. Is there really a need for yet another design book? In fact, there is a greater need than ever before, and Practical API Design: Confessions of a Java Framework Architect fills that need!

• Teaches you how to write an API that will stand the test of time
• Written by the designer of the NetBeans API at Sun Technologies

• Based on best practices, scalability, and API design patterns

  The only guide to API best practices across all object-oriented languages Written by a recognized expert with over 10 years experience as the developer and team leader of the NetBeans project A reference that will not go out of date

  Autorentext
  Jaroslav Tulach is the founder and initial architect of NetBeans, later acquired by Sun Technologies. As creator of the technology behind NetBeans, he is still with the project to find ways to improve the design skills among all the programmers who contribute to the success of NetBeans open source project.

  Inhalt
  Theory and Justification.- The Art of Building Modern Software.- The Motivation to Create an API.- Determining What Makes a Good API.- Ever-Changing Targets.- Practical Design.- Do Not Expose More Than You Want.- Code Against Interfaces, Not Implementations.- Use Modular Architecture.- Separate APIs for Clients and Providers.- Keep Testability in Mind.- Cooperating with other APIs.- Runtime Aspects of APIs.- Declarative Programming.- Daily Life.- Extreme Advice Considered Harmful.- Paradoxes of API Design.- Evolving the API Universe.- Teamwork.- Using Games to Improve API Design Skills.- Extensible Visitor Pattern Case Study.- End-of-Life Procedures.- Epilogue.- The Future.